The "gun culture" which exists in the United States can be traced all the way to the Second Amendment to the Constitution, which contains the words "the right to…bear arms." The meaning of those words is widely debated and forms the basis for the ongoing battle over gun laws.

Some believe that the intent of those words was to make sure that the fledgling nation could defend itself against outside threats to its independence. The words were aimed at a young United States.

Others believe that the "the right to…bear arms" was meant to apply to individual citizens so that they would be able to protect themselves and their property.

The role and position of the National Rifle Association (NRA) should be presented. The NRA was founded in the 1930s. It is an organization of approximately three million members that advocate and encourage hunting, target shooting and safety training. The NRA believes in the right of citizens to own and use guns and advocates strict penalties for their criminal misuse.

Many politicians also share this position. They believe that the solution to the gun related violence problem lies in stricter enforcement of existing gun laws and education.

By contrast, many others feel the solution lies in much stricter gun laws and regulations including:

  • background checks at gun shows and stiffer gun show regulations
  • require child-safety locks for handguns
  • create a national gun registry
  • ban large-capacity ammunition clips
  • the gun industry should develop "smart gun" technology
  • the gun industry should ensure their products are not marketed to criminals
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