Government and Gun Control Firearms have been a controversial topic since the founding of the United States. Our forefathers determined that "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." From the beginning our government has controlled citizens' firearms rights. In 1999, citizens are being restricted just as our ancestors were, only the government has taken responsibility away from individuals and placed it on the firearms manufacturer. Media coverage and gun-related deaths have led the government to take action on the production and ban of firearms. To talk about firearms we need to understand the definition. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a firearm is "a weapon from which a gunpowder shot is fired, usually used for small arms." The Oxford Dictionary simply states that a firearm is “a rifle, pistol, or other portable pistol.” These definitions are vague and confusing for those who are not very knowledgeable about firearms. Many anti-gun journalists and organizations also include assault weapons and semi-automatic weapons. So I'm going to go ahead and talk about firearms and include all pistols and rifles. Anti-gun groups have been around since the Constitution was written. These organizations believe that gun ownership should be limited and very strict. Their goal is to reduce violence, ensure that the government implements national regulations, bans all types of assault weapons, and limits the number of guns individuals can purchase during a specified period (Carter, 47). Banning assault weapons is believed to reduce violent crime. Therefore, anti-gun organizations believe that private citizens should not be allowed to own them. The gun restriction was aided by the Brady Handgun Prevention Act, which requires a 5-day waiting period for a gun. This waiting period allows local law officials to conduct criminal background checks on potential gun buyers. However, waiting periods do not stop criminals from obtaining guns illegally. 93% of professional criminals obtain their guns from sources other than gun stores, mostly through thefts or black market (online) deals. A bill Congress is trying to pass places a restriction on the production, transfer and possession of certain semi-automatic assault weapons. These weapons include the Beretta Ar70 and the Colt AR-15. The proposal is known as the Protecting Recreational Use and Public Safety of Firearms Act. On the opposite end of the spectrum are pro-gun activists who believe that people should have the right to go and buy a gun or firearm if they feel the need to protect themselves. Of course, there are many reasons why a person owns a gun. For example, recreational shooting is a hobby that many people enjoy. Another reason why some citizens may feel the need to own a firearm is that they do not live in a safe environment, so they do what they can to protect themselves. Now, if the production of certain firearms were banned, hunting sports and personal safety would be threatened. Pro-gun activists also believe that law-abiding citizens should not have such strict laws imposed on them. As I have stated previously, convicted criminals who access firearms through an underground market commit the majority of crimes. They do not follow the laws of the states or the country. In 1976, Washington,