The arguments of gun rights advocates

Gun rights activists support gun ownership for self-defense, hunting, and security against a possible tyranny of the government. Some of the main supporters of gun rights are: the Republican Party, National Association for Gun Rights, National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, Second Amendment Foundation, and others.

A main argument used by gun control activists is that the Second Amendment guarantees a person’s right to own guns. In their interpretation, firearm ownership is an American tradition protected by the US Constitution. They also cite parts of the Columbia v. Heller decision which established “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.”

A second argument put forth by gun activists is that gun control laws do not preven...