Gun Control

Gun control refers to laws or policies that regulate the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification, or use of firearms by civilians. Some U.S. states have already adopted a variety of these gun control laws. In a society where gun violence and crimes is widely prevalent, there has been a widespread fear of guns. In light of current events and gun crimes, there has been controversy about the idea of gun control. These new laws that are intended to be enforce not only affect people who are opposed to gun control, but also the people who rely on these firearms as a means of protection. Although misused firearms have harmed many innocent people, the government should not pass new gun laws because the Second Amendment is still implemented
The Second Amendment reads, “A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." (ProCon.org) Since the beginning of America, guns have played a major role in shaping American tradition, providing Americans with a means of self-defense. According to the Supreme Court case District of Columbia et al. v. Heller, majority opinion ruled that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home. As well, the McDonald v. City of Chicago ruling stated that the Second Amendment is an individual right. (ProCon.org.) Given that the Second Amendment is an individual right, protected under the Constitution and under the Bill of Rights, the American tradition of gun ownership is protected and safeguarded under these fundamental documents, safeguarding Americans against the government infringing upon not only the individual right to bear arms, but numerous other unalienable individual
Some of the gun control laws that existed during colonial times were the storage of gun powder in homes, banning of loaded guns in Boston Houses, and mandating participation in formal gatherings of troops, and door-to door surveys about guns owned. (ProCon.org) In modern times, some gun control laws are imposed to prohibit the possession of firearms by felons, mentally ill, forbidding the carrying of firearms in certain areas, and laws imposing conditions and a qualification process on the commercial sale of arms.