Gun Control With a population of nearly 314 million people, there are currently 310 million guns, 114 million handguns, 110 rifles and 86 million shotguns in America. (Kiger, 2013). The most controversial aspect of gun control is the second amendment which was ratified in December 1791. The misinterpretation of the phrase “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed” is the biggest aspect of gun control in the US. (Kiger, 2013). Some people believe that phrase only gives militia’s the right to own guns. Others believe that phrase gives every citizen the right to own guns. (Brooks, 2013). When the second amendment was created it was originally a compromise between the federalists and antifederalists to give the states more power and to the militias. (Brooks, 2013). 1364 was the first time a firearm was used. (Hallowell, 2014). Guns have evolved very much since then, …show more content…
In 1960 sixty percent of people supported a gun ban, but in 2013 the same question was asked and only twenty-five percent of people favored a ban on guns. (Roberts, 2014). A 2014 survey revealed that only forty-seven percent of Americans favored stricter gun control laws. (Swift, 2014). Most people believe that it’s more important to protect gun rights then it is to protect gun ownership. (Doherty, 2015). The gun control debate is a very controversial issue in American society today. The second amendment is a huge factor in the divided opinions. It’s been interpreted in multiple ways, liberals believe gun control laws should be stricter because the second amendment only gives states the right to bear arms. Conservatives on the other hand are in favor of lighter gun control laws. They believe the second amendment grants all citizens to bear arms and people kill people not guns. There have been decisions and cases in the Supreme Court, several interest groups and mass shootings contributing to this