- Question
Should we have gun control?
There are more than 300,000,000 guns in the United States. Guns have claimed the lives of more American citizens than all the wars since the American revolution put together. With guns holding a unique place in the American psyche, should there be measures in place to limit gun ownership? What should these measures look like?
Gun ownership should be controlled
This position holds that gun ownership should be controlled, arguing the Second Amendment does not grant unlimited rights. It supports measures such as mandatory training and background checks, waiting periods, a minimum age of 21, and bans on bump stocks and assault weapons.
Guns should not be restricted in any way
This position holds that guns should not be restricted in any way. It argues that the Second Amendment is a fundamental guarantee of individual liberty, that people rather than guns are responsible for violence, and that restrictions would leave only criminals armed.
Only the state should be allowed firearms
This position holds that only the state — the police and the army — should be permitted to own firearms. It frames gun control as a public-health issue, arguing that removing guns from private hands altogether is the surest way to reduce the deaths and harm they cause.