Gun Control
In Brief
Americans' right to buy and operate firearms has been protected since 1791, as stated by the Second Amendment: "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." About 30,000 Americans die from gun-related incidents every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Despite this statistics, more Americans are now in favor of less strict gun laws. According to a Gallup poll, 54 percent favored stricter laws in 2001, then 50 percent in 2007. Now, according to a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll in 2009, only 39 percent are in favor of stricter gun laws.
Americans' right to bear arms was further strengthened in a 2008 ruling by the Supreme Court. In District of Columbia v. Heller, the Supreme Court said the Constitution protects an individual's right to own guns, not just the collective right of the states to maintain regulated militias. The Court's 5-4 ruling struck down a handgun ban enacted in the District of Columbia in 1976 and also rejected as unconstitutional the District's requirements that firearms have trigger locks or be kept disassembled. Because the case involved D.C., which is not a state, controversy about whether the Second Amendment prevents only the federal government from infringing upon the right, or whether it extends to state and local jurisdictions, remains
Gun Control Resources
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
ATF enforces the federal laws and regulations relating to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, explosives and arson.
- The Americans for Gun Safety Foundation
Archive of gun control laws, independent reports and searchable map that tracks guns deaths according to state.
- GunCite
Comprehensive presentation of gun control and Second Amendment issues, analysis of firearms statistics, research, and gun control policies.
- The Second Amendment Foundation
Provides a Constitutional background of the right to privately own and possess firearms, with information intending to better inform the public about the gun control debate.
Supporters of Gun Control
- Handgun Control - Brady Campaign
Firearm facts, gun law loopholes, pending legislation, gun violence research and education programs.
- Million Mom March
This grassroots organization is leading a renewed effort to prevent gun violence.
- Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition
A bipartisan coalition of more than 250 mayors from more than 40 U.S. states, united in their stated goal of "making the public safer by getting illegal guns off the streets."
- Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
Coalition of 48 civic, professional and religious organizations and 100,000 individual members that advocate for a ban on the sale and possession of handguns.
Opponents of Gun Control
Gun Violence Resources
- PAX
Organization leads a movement to end gun violence.
- Pledge.org
More than 2 million students signed the pledge against gun violence.
- Join Together Online
National resource center for communities working to reduce substance abuse and gun violence.
- Violence Policy Center
A national non-profit organization working to fight firearms violence through research, education, and advocacy. The site likens gun shows to Tupperware® parties for criminals.
- Project Safe Neighborhoods
National strategy for reducing gun violence, which provides assistance to state and local jurisdictions in support of training and community outreach efforts.
Did You Know?
- Hoplophobia, from the Greek hoplon, or weapon, is defined as the "fear of firearms" or alternatively, a fear of weapons in general.
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