American Guns … Out of Control!

Throughout America, millions carry their guns with them throughout the day, and 2 million others keep weapons in their cars. Seventy-five children are shot in America every day; nine of them die, six of them are crippled for life.

The United States is the country with the most firearms among its civilian population in the world and with the highest guns per person ratio in the world.

The “My First Rifle” Is “Designed Especially for Use by Children”

Last week, a five-year-old boy living in Kentucky shot his two-year-old sister with a rifle he found in the living room; the shooting resulted in her death.* The incident was a huge shock to the general public, especially because the rifle used by the child was the “My First Rifle” designed specifically for use by young children. It was actually purchased for him by the boy’s father.

Laws have been enacted on both the national and state levels to keep guns out of the hands of children. But these laws are full of holes and are not enforced in a serious way. Gun manufacturers are able to circumvent them and work very hard to lure young people to the gun store. What is surprising is that they are targeting younger children more than any time previously.

The incident in Kentucky coincided with a number of other accidents. A seven-year-old boy was killed after his father shot him in the head with a rifle during a trip to the shooting range. This is in addition to many accidents in Florida, Arizona and other states.

So you are aware, “My First Rifle,” made especially for children, is manufactured by Crickett and is available in two colors, blue and grey.

The Rifle Was Just a Toy!

Andy Lopez, 13, was playing with a plastic rifle in Santa Rosa, California. He was spotted by the police and given 10 seconds to drop his weapon. When he didn’t comply the police shot him to death, hitting him seven times. Afterwards they discovered the rifle was just a toy.

How Are Gun Licenses Obtained in the United States?

The carrying and possession of guns either for self-defense or any other purpose is considered a legitimate right in every part of the United States. This right is guaranteed in the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The carrying of weapons without any license is allowed in 31 states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Some of these states require a special license for guns in vehicles or to carry a concealed weapon.

How to obtain a license: If you are living in a state that requires a license, it is a simple process. First, go to your state government’s official website for gun licenses. Second, fill out a form to confirm your background information (such as your age) and to confirm you aren’t among those who are forbidden to carry guns.

Those Who Are Forbidden To Carry Guns

The following is a list of groups of people who are forbidden or unqualified to own or operate firearms, as required by the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, an anti-violence bill.

- Convicted felons, except those who have had their civil rights returned to them by the state.

- Fugitives from justice.

- Individuals using anti-depressants in an illegal manner, or illegal substances or stimulants.

- Individuals who have lost their civil liberties due to the fact that they are patients with dangerous mental illnesses or are in a mental hospital.

- Non-Americans who are not permanent residents of the United States (except in the case of possession of a hunting license issued by a competent authority in the United States).

- Persons who have renounced their American citizenship.

- Persons convicted of crimes or offenses related to domestic violence.

- Persons convicted of a crime that carries more than a one-year prison sentence are not allowed to receive, transfer or participate in the shipment of any gun or ammunition.

Additionally, it is forbidden for anyone in possession of a gun license to sell or provide firearms or ammunition to minors. The selling of rifles to anyone who is under 18 years of age is forbidden, as is the selling of handguns to anyone under 21.

Over 212,994 Americans have lost their lives due to a firearm over the last 45 years. That number exceeds the number of dead in all of the wars in which America played a part. This fact is especially astonishing considering that awareness about public safety is almost entirely focused on the issue of second-hand smoke. The Federal Bureau of Investigation estimates that Americans as a whole own more than 200 million firearms. This is in addition to those guns owned by security forces, law enforcement and museum [security]. There is probably around one [gun] for every person in the country.

The last estimate was around 350 million firearms, which is one firearm for every man, woman and child.** It can be reasonably assumed that gun enthusiasts own many of these weapons, including rifles of all makes and models.

According to the Sunlight Foundation, a nongovernmental organization that monitors transparency in U.S. policy-making, most members of Congress refuse to modify gun laws regarding gun ownership and take donations from pro-gun organizations. The Guardian reports that Barack Obama and congressional representative Gabby Giffords, who was the victim of a shooting, have severely criticized those representatives as “slaves to the money of the gun lobby.”***

America is drowning in a sea of guns. The murder rate is high and alarming. Who will protect the next generation if “guns dominating decision-making” is the norm?

Editor's Note: This article contains numerous factual inaccuracies. In the interest of adequately rendering the views of the source material, no attempt has been made to correct these inaccuracies.

* Editor’s Note: This incident actually occurred in May 2013.
** Editor’s Note: More accurate estimates say there are about 250-270 million guns in the U.S., or about 89 firearms for every 100 citizens.
*** Editor’s Note: This quote, accurately translated, could not be verified.