Since the dawn of the United States the government has created laws regulating firearm ownership. These regulations apply to everyone from gun sellers to owners and are constantly evolving. In 1791, the Constitution Bill of Rights was ratified to ensure the protection of the rights of the American people. The Second Amendment addressed the right to bare arms. “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” (1). The founding fathers of the United States created this amendment to ensure the power of the militia, to ensure a means of self-defense for the citizen, and to provide the people with the power to repel foreign invasion. During this time, every adult male was socially expected to know how to use a gun. Men were strongly encouraged to practice shooting firearms in case they ever needed to protect their homes, their communities, or their country. If there was a need to put together a militia, the state did not want that moment to be the first encounter of a militiaman with a firearm. Gun laws have changed dramatically over the last hundred years. However, gun laws were not necessary in America's early years. British soldiers were the majority of gun owners. Firearms were expensive to make and purchase, so only the wealthy could afford them. After the American Revolution, the American people and their newly formed government wanted to ensure that citizens could defend themselves from attacks or an unjust government. For many years, this worked as most of the nation lived in rural areas and used firearms to obtain food and to protect family from harm. With the increase of urban life, in the twentieth century... middle of the paper. .....children are curious. They see guns in video games and on television, but they don't realize the permanent damage a gun can cause. It's important for children to know how to use a firearm if there is one in the home, but when should they be introduced? In a survey conducted by Aegis Academy, the three to five age group was the most popular response. Obviously a three year old shouldn't be holding a gun alone. However, if the child grows accustomed to weapons, he will be less curious. The Child Access Prevention (CAP) Act was passed in hopes of decreasing or eliminating the number of accidental shootings in homes by children. The CAP law holds the parent responsible if a child obtains an improperly stored firearm and fires it. Bottom line, no matter what laws Congress passes, the responsibility for the use or abuse of the firearm ultimately belongs to the owner.