The Pros And Cons Of Gun Control

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The Gun Control Act of 1968 prohibited the sale of guns to several types of individuals consisting of minors, people with criminal records, disabled, illegal aliens, dishonorably discharged military personnel and others. In 1993 the Act was changed by the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. This Act said that background checks for all unlicensed carriers had to be done before they could purchase any firearms from a licensed dealer. However, there has been discussion that there is a “gun show loophole” in the Firearms Owners Protection Act of 1986 which allows all people, including convicted felons, the ability to purchase guns without a background check. While many people have decidedly formed opinions on gun control, the debate is complicated …show more content…
Constitution 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.” The right of states to regulate firearms has been upheld during many Supreme Court rulings by citing this amendment. There was also a federal law written by President George Washington in 1792, which was meant for most men between the ages of 16 and 60, own a gun and ammunition required for military service. Although, when the law was written its purpose was intended for military personnel. The United States has 88.8 guns per 100 people, which is about 270,000,000 guns, being the highest total and per capita number in the world.
Federal law sets the minimum standards for firearm regulation in the United States, but individual states have their own laws, some of which provide further restrictions, others which are more lenient. Some states, including Idaho, Alaska, and Kansas have passed laws designed to circumvent federal policies, but the Constitution establishes the superiority of federal law. With that being said, Senior-level state and local government officials are very much in favor of universal background checks as a resolution to gun

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