Though the issue of gun control has been a controversial, and often debated topic since the late 1800's, recent events have made it painfully clear that the regulation of guns is necessary to keeping our society safe. .
The right to bear arms was given to the people in 1791, when the Second Amendment was written. The Second Amendment states, "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." This amendment was written over 200 years ago, and unlike the rest of the constitution, it has not stood the test of time very well. When the constitution was written in the late 18th century lifestyles and worries were very different than they are now. People didn't feel safe after the Revolution, and were constantly scared of being attacked by Native Americans, the English, and other nations. They also had to hunt for food, and protect themselves from wild animals and thieves when traveling through the wilderness. The part of the Amendment that is debated the most is, "the right of the people to keep and bear arms." Anti-gun control groups say that, as in the First Amendment, "the people" refers to all people, not just a certain group. While Pro-gun control groups say that it is still referring to members of the militia. This leads to the other controversial part of the amendment, "A well regulated militia." Anti-gun control groups say that the "militia" refers to any people trying to defend their homes, country, or liberty. While pro-gun control groups say that the role of the militia as stated in Art. 1, Sec 8, cl. 15 of the Constitution are, "to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions. This meaning shows that framers of the Constitution intended the word militia to mean an organization run by the Union to protect the laws, and people. The role of the militia was very similar to the police force, army, and National Guard of today's society.