Gun control has been one of the most contentious and contentious issues in America today. The media constantly informs the public of all altercations involving firearms and the enforcement of laws controlling firearms. When we see these issues on television we get used to the fact that gun control is a political debate but it is also an ethical debate. Our founding fathers believed very explicitly in the right to bear arms and ensured that it was written into the United States Constitution. As we enforce “gun laws and policies,” we must not violate these rights afforded to us, but continue with the beliefs upon which this country was founded. At the same time, it is our responsibility to take measures against safety and security risks by ensuring that these firearms are used responsibly. The balance between our Second Amendment rights and how to ensure the right to safety is where the long history of political and ethical debate begins. There is no doubt that the United States has the highest number of firearms per capita, according to some estimates. The thing about both legal and illegal guns is that there is one for every person. Media freedom has contributed to the dissemination of information especially on mass shootings that have occurred and this has created the idea that there are the highest gun-related crimes in the world, but this is not the case. As we hear more and more about mass shootings, huge passionate debates about gun control have emerged and this has divided the population into different camps. There are many people who believe that stricter gun control could prevent future violent crimes or mass shootings. On the other hand, others believe that this would not affect the crime rate but would only leave us unable to d...... middle of paper ......-23. Simon Fraser University Library. April 4, 2014.Tchividjian, Emmanuel. “Gun Control.” Ruderfinn (2013). February 1, 2014. “The Second Amendment.” Revolutionary War and Beyond. (2011). February 25, 2014. “Veterans Second Amendment Rights Bill.” NRA.ILA. (2011). February 25, 2014.Witkin, Gordon. “A very different gun culture.” US News & World Report 121.17 (1996): 44. Company source completed. March 7, 2014.Zimring, Franklin. “Firearms and Federal Law: The Gun Control Act of 1968.” Journal of Legal Studies 4.133 (1975): 1-66. February 1, 2014. “#3: Gun Control Has Reduced Crime Rates in Other Countries.” GunOwners.org. (2008). March 7, 2014. ''Gun Control Facts: Existing Gun Laws Would Reduce Crime, But They're Not Enforced'' http://www.policymic.com/articles/22802/gun-control-facts-existing- gun-laws-would-reduce-crime-but-these-are-not-enforced January 14, 2013.