The media’s coverage of firearms being used in an illegal manner has brought the subject of gun control into political agendas. Political views regarding firearms regulation range from reducing the number and type of firearms available to making firearms more available through the loosening of current regulation. The reduction of firearms would make the illegal acquisition more difficult but would restrict the law abiding citizen’s access greater. On the other hand, reducing current regulations favor the law abiding citizen while making it easier to acquire a firearm for illegal purposes. Reduction of firearms violence by state and federal legislation must be balanced by protecting the individual right to bear arms while simultaneously protecting the public. However, person’s right to bear arms carries with it the individual responsibility to ensure they are used in a safe manner and safeguarded against unwanted access. The adoption of already successful regulation that includes educational, screening, and licensing requirements can reduce the illegal use of firearms without rights infringement. …show more content…
With a standard licensing system, individuals could receive updates to laws they may be otherwise unaware of through direct contact from the licensing office. In the event of a theft, a standard licensing system could assist law enforcement in the recovery of firearms; especially if the owner was incapacitated or killed. A licensed individual negates the argument of more firearms control due to gaps caused by person to person sales. Congressman Chris Van Hollen (Dem. Maryland) regarded licensing as a “common sense provision proven to save lives and has never successfully been challenged by the gun lobby in court because it is consistent with the Second Amendment” in his statement about the Maryland Safe Firearms Act (Lanham para.