How to Make Up Your Mind About Gun Control

Generally opinions regarding gun control are separated along party lines, but more Americans than ever are seeking to protect themselves. The issue of gun control is contentious among those who say its a constitutionally protected right and those who say it needs to be regulated for public safety. The new debate between the two groups has extended to the question of whether regulations on gun sales and purchases has decreased violent crimes

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Read and familiarize yourself with the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution which grants "the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." How you interpret this passage will help you make up your mind about gun control.

2. Look at the numbers. Many proponents and opponents of gun control point to statistics and figures regarding violent crimes to make their argument. Again, your interpretation of the figures will determine your position on the subject.

3. Study the Dred Scott v. Stanford decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. Many gun control opponents argue that this decision that any free slave recognized as a citizen in any State in the Union will be allowed to "keep and carry" arms. However those in favor of gun control argue that the right to carry doesn't mean the right to bear arms.

4. Interpret for yourself the intent of the phrase "the people" mentioned in the Second Amendment. Proponents of gun control argue that "the people" is in reference to the militia (military) in first half of the amendment. Gun control opponents believe that it means all citizens as listed in the Preamble to the Constitution and littered throughout the Bill of Rights.

5. Ask yourself "should there be regulations regarding who can own a gun" and you will have an idea of your true feelings. This is the ultimate issue of gun control; can conditions be put on a right granted to citizens in America's most sacred document, the U.S. Constitution. Those who believe the second amendment grants rights to citizens to bear arms also find fault with regulations that say felons cannot own firearms.

6. Question whether or not gun control laws will decrease violent crimes. A common argument is that regulations on gun control will in fact decrease the crime rate, while gun control opponents say there will always be guns available illegally. These opponents often point to gun trafficking to illustrate this point.