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Gun politics in the United States

Gun politics is defined in the United States by two primary opposing ideologies concerning the private ownership of firearms. Those who advocate for gun control support increasingly restrictive regulation of gun ownership; those who advocate for gun rights oppose increased restriction, or support the liberalization of gun ownership. These groups typically disagree on the interpretation of the text, history and tradition of the laws and judicial opinions concerning gun ownership in the United States and the meaning of the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. American gun politics involves these groups' further disagreement concerning the role of firearms in public safety, the studied effects of ownership of firearms on public health and safety, and the role of guns in national and state crime.[2][3][4]: 1–3 [5]

For the context of these debates, see Gun violence in the United States.

Private firearm ownership has experienced a steady increase in the United States since the turn of the 21st century, and accelerated rapidly during and following the year of 2020.[6] The National Firearms Survey of 2021, currently the nation's largest and most comprehensive study into American firearm ownership, found that privately-owned firearms are used in roughly 1.7 million defensive usage cases (self-defense from an attacker/attackers inside and outside the home) per year across the nation.[7] The study also found an increase in diversity amongst firearm owner demographics, reporting that rates of firearm ownership amongst females and ethnic minorities had risen sharply since the last national survey had been conducted.[8][9]


American gun politics is increasingly a question of demography and political party affiliation, and features well-known gender, age and income gaps according to major social surveys.[10][11]

44% supported a ban on "semi-automatic guns known as assault weapons."

92% supported background checks on all gun-show gun sales.

62% supported a ban on "high-capacity ammunition magazines that can contain more than 10 rounds."

Political arguments[edit]

Rights-based arguments[edit]

Rights-based arguments involve the most fundamental question about gun control: to what degree the government has the authority to regulate guns.


Proponents of gun rights include but are not limited to the following:[147]

(1934)

National Firearms Act

(1968)

Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968

(1968)

Gun Control Act of 1968

(1986)

Firearm Owners Protection Act

(1988)

Undetectable Firearms Act

(1990) (ruled unconstitutional as originally written; upheld after minor edits were made by Congress)

Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990

(1993)

Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act

(1994) (expired 2004)

Federal Assault Weapons Ban

2018 United States gun violence protests

Concealed carry in the United States

Gun culture in the United States

Gun ownership

Gun show loophole

High-capacity magazine ban

One handgun a month law

Adams, Les (1996). The Second Amendment Primer. A Citizen's Guidebook To The History, Sources, And Authorities For The Constitutional Guarantee Of The Right To Keep And Bear Arms. Odysseus Editions. Birmingham, Alabama

Carter, Gregg Lee (2006). . ABC-CLIO. p. 408. ISBN 978-1851097609.

Gun Control in the United States: A Reference Handbook

(1998). Under Fire: The NRA and the Battle for Gun Control. University of Iowa Press. p. 338. ISBN 978-0877456469.

Davidson, Osha Gray

Edel, Wilbur (1995). . Westport, Conn.: Praeger Publishers. ISBN 978-0275951450. OCLC 246777010.

Gun Control: Threat to Liberty or Defense against Anarchy?

Goss, Kristin A. (2008). . Princeton University Press. p. 304. ISBN 978-0691138329.

Disarmed: The Missing Movement for Gun Control in America

Halbrook, Stephen P. (2013). . Independent Institute. ISBN 978-1598131611.

Gun Control in the Third Reich: Disarming the Jews and "Enemies of the State"

Lund, Nelson (2008). . In Hamowy, Ronald (ed.). The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; Cato Institute. pp. 438–440. doi:10.4135/9781412965811.n269. ISBN 978-1412965804. OCLC 750831024.

"Right to Bear Arms"

Melzer, Scott (2009). . New York University Press. p. 336. ISBN 978-0814795972.

Gun Crusaders: The NRA's Culture War

Snow, Robert L. (2002). . Cambridge, Massachusetts: Perseus. ISBN 978-0738207667. OCLC 50615207.

Terrorists Among Us: The Militia Threat

Utter, Glenn H. (2000). . Phoenix, Ariz.: Oryx. p. 378. ISBN 978-1573561723. OCLC 42072246.

Encyclopedia of Gun Control and Gun Rights

(2011). Gunfight: The Battle over the Right to Bear Arms in America. W. W. Norton & Company. p. 361. ISBN 978-0393082296.

Winkler, Adam

at Curlie

Gun politics in the United States

collected news and commentary at The New York Times

Guns and Gun Control

Gun control advocacy groups:


Gun rights advocacy groups: