There has been so much controversy and debate lately regarding whether we as Americans should have the right to own and use firearms. In the United States Constitution the Second Amendment states that "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." (1) Many would like to debate the meaning of this amendment, even though it clearly states that it is the right of the people of the United States of America to keep and use their own arms and that this right should not be violated or violated. violated. Citizens of the United States have the right to use their guns for both protection and recreation. Our State Constitution also states that we have the right to bear arms, Article I - Bill of Rights, Section 23. Right to keep and bear arms arms. “Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear arms for self-defense or that of the State, but the Legislature shall have the power, by law, to regulate the use of arms, for the purpose of preventing crime.” (2). It is our right, through the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Texas, to keep and bear Arms. There are still some citizens who believe that if we made guns illegal, criminal activity and shootings would cease to exist, but in general. honest criminals will be criminals whether or not it is against the law to own or possess a firearm. Therefore stricter gun control laws are not the answer. Will having stricter gun control laws reduce crime rates? Many believe that if stricter laws apply? gun laws, the crime rate will decrease. Obviously this is not the case. Consider for example the crime rate in Washington DC ) Article 1, Section 23(3) of the Texas State Constitution Carliner, Leah and Smith, Meg. “A History of DC Gun Ban,” Washington Post, June 26, 2008.(4) Singer, Linda (District Attorney General). of Columbia) Legal Notice 07-290: "District of Columbia and Adrian M. Fenty, Mayor of the District of Columbia, Appellants, vs. Dick Anthony Heller, Respondent. In the Supreme Court of the United States." January 4, 2008.(5) Dataset: "Uniform Crime Reporting Program, District of Columbia, 1960-2008." Federal Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Justice Information Services Division. Data provided to Just Facts on 15 June 2010.(6) Gius, Mark. “Gun Ownership and the Gun Control Index.” Atlantic Economic Journal 36 (2008): 497-498 MasterFILE Premier October 30, 2013Kessler, Glenn Joe Biden's gun advice is illegal." The Washington Post February 25, 2013. O