The issue of gun control is global in today's society, but since it is most controversial in the United States. With the continuous mass shootings and terrorist attacks within the United States and across the world, there is no question that there is something that needs to be done. As a young man who is and will be affected by those passing laws, I want to live in a society where I am able to purchase, own, and carry firearms for recreational purposes as well as self-defense. From growing up in the south around firearms, law enforcement, and becoming a shooting instructor, the Second Amendment has been apart of my entire life and of my culture. The right to bear arms is a privilege to those, not an entitlement. As a result of many mass shootings and terrorist attacks, many want to jump to conclusions and say that if assault weapons or all firearms were banned to the public, those kinds of situations would be nonexistent. But rather than going to the extreme, direct attention to where it is due and ask how and why it was able to happen then target requirements for those to purchase, own, and carry firearms. As an active hunter, recreational shooter, and shooting instructor, we as people who associate ourselves with firearms, begin to receive poor reputations because of tragic incidents. As the awareness and severity of shootings and attacks increase, we must target laws and regulations, giving those the right to continue to bear arms and preserve the Second Amendment, and not the entitlement to firearms. 

The controversial topic and issue of gun control is nothing new to the United States, over the past 100 years there has been numerous accounts of lawmakers and the White House come together and pass significant alterations to federal gun laws. The evolution of gun laws and gun control in America has been growing exponentially and continues today as mass shootings and terrorist attack happen throughout the country and world. Dating back to 1934 when President FDR was in office, the National Firearms Act (NFA) was drafted and passed. The NFA imposed new penalties towards criminals along with regulations and taxes on, "shotguns and rifles having barrels less than 18 inches in length, certain firearms describes as "any other weapons," machineguns, and firearm mufflers and silencers," (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives). This also put restrictions on the interstate guns and ammunition trade; it required dealers to register themselves and keep records on transactions. This act was largely in response to the eras bloody gun violence carried out by notorious gangsters such as Al Capone and Bugs Moran. Later in 1968, President LBJ added to the NFA by introducing stricter licensing and registration standards. It created a ban on gun and ammunition sales to felons and those deemed mentally incompetent. The initial push for these changes prompted from the assassination of President JFK in 1963, where Harvey Oswald used a mail ordered rifle to shoot the president, as well as the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. Later in 1986, President Reagan signed the much-debated Firearm Owner's Act, which made, "it unlawful, with certain exceptions, for any individual to transfer or possess a machinegun," (congress.gov). The act also, "prohibited the creation of a national firearm database and allowed gun owners to pass freely through states with stricter controls provided their weapons were locked away or unloaded," (CNN politics). During President Clinton's reign in 1993, he signed the Brady Bill that required a federal background check on the purchase of a handgun. The next year President Clinton signed a bill that is commonly referred to as the "Assault Weapons Ban", "that banned the manufacture, possession and sale of certain combat style weapons. It also limited the size of the magazine," (CNN politics). With the continuation of attacks happening throughout the country, there is no denial that there is something to be done; laws become stricter, regulations become tighter, and the watch of public health heightens. These acts and bills that have been signed and passed are all results from severe events in history such as major shootings or assassinations.

As seen through history, there has been a heavy overhaul on federal gun laws. As instances continue to occur, the public seeks answers then demands a change in order to prevent tragedy from striking again. Incidents of mass shootings such as the one in Charleston, South Carolina, bring the topic of gun control to the surface. Citizens ask questions such as how and why someone would or could do something so inhuman. On June 17, 2015 a man by the name of Dylann Roof sat in on a Bible study at the historic Emmanuel African American Methodist Episcopal Church, later opening fire, shooting and killing nine people within the church. With hope to start a racial war, Roof said, "you are taking over the country ... I have to do what I have to do," (Ellis), then killing the man. Roof fled the scene, leaving an elderly member of the church as a, "survivor because I'm going to kill myself," (Ellis). The suspect was later arrested in Shelby, North Carolina armed with a gun and the possession of an unlabeled pill bottle with the drug suboxone. "Suboxone is the brand name of a narcotic that's considered milder than other drugs in its class, such as oxycontin, heroin and vicodin," (Seidman). In studies by doctors and researchers in the field of addiction, it is said to be a helpful tool in fighting opiate and painkiller addictions without the need to send patients to methadone clinics. According to The National Alliance of Advocates of Buprenorphine Treatment, "in addicts, opioids can cause unpredictable mood swings, manipulative behaviors, lying, and an inability to meet responsibilities," (Seidman). One may ask how can someone known as a pill popper or a drug addict be able to purchase and own a firearm? Prior to Roof purchasing a .45 caliber pistol for his 21st birthday, there was no record of any arrests or committed felonies, allowing Roof to own a firearm. 

As a result of the Charleston and many other shootings, President Obama came out on January 4, 2016 with new executive actions in order to reduce gun violence and make communities safer. The main goals of this new executive order is to keep guns out of the wrong hands through background checks, make communities safer from gun violence, increase mental health treatment and report to the background check system, and to shape the future of gun safety technology. In order to keep guns out of the wrong hands, the background check system must be made more efficient and effective. In doing this, it is clarified that if one is in the business of selling firearms, one must be licensed and conduct background checks. This also includes background checks for those trying to purchase through a trust or a corporation. By improving the background check system, states must provide records and work cooperatively with jurisdictions to improve reporting. To advance safety within communities, governments must ensure smart and effective enforcement of laws; they must eliminate the bypass of the system. Also within communities, dealers must be ensured to notify officials and law enforcement about any theft or loss of guns or merchandise. Additionally the urge to push every, "U.S. Attorney's Office to renew domestic violence outreach efforts ...  to help provide additional resources to state, local, and tribal law enforcement," (Fact Sheet). Conjointly, there must be a significant increase in resources within mental health care, "despite recent gains, less than half of children and adults with diagnosable mental health problems receive the treatment they need," (Fact Sheet). Information from the Social Security Administration on those of the mentally ill need to be included in the background check system about beneficiaries who are prohibited from possessing a firearm. Steps in doing so need to be reduced, removing any unnecessary legal barriers that prevent states from reporting any kind of relevant information. But with the different levels of severity as one looks at the situation, many ask if these executive orders are too little or much towards gun control. As instances like Charleston continue to occur, there is no doubt to all that a stand needs to be made to ensure the safety of the public. 
