Guns in America: to ban or not to ban. Americans should be able to have, own and carry guns if they feel the need to protect them. It's a statement that is a topic of great debate and has been for years. There are supporters and opponents when it comes to firearms laws and rights. Both sides have strong and seemingly valid arguments. Ultimately, we should have this choice. One of the strongest arguments in favor of banning firearms: an increase in the availability of firearms equates to an increase in crimes using firearms. “Guns were used in murders more than all other weapons combined.” Page 75 (Every gun is pointed at you) Josh Sugarman is in favor of banning discussions of firearms, more guns, and more crime. This fact may be accurate according to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports. However, who is to say as to the likely scope of the murder, whether the gun was available or not. If someone has a gun, they are more likely to use it. But if someone has a murderous mentality, they will commit murder, regardless of the weapon. To further argue this point, John R. Lott Jr. in his book The Bias Against Guns, cites a study conducted from 1977 to 1992. The research showed that states that adopted right to conceal laws had a decrease in gun crimes immediately after those laws were passed. (page 228 prejudice against firearms) Suicide and firearms: “….the ready availability of firearms in times of desperation kills thousands of lives every year.” (page 35 Every Gun Is Pointed at You) The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention states that: “Firearms account for 50% of all suicides. Death by gunshot is the fastest growing method of suicide.” Much like the homicidal-minded individual in the center of this site's section, he deals specifically with statistics on firearms and suicide rates. Sowell, Thomas. “RealClearPolitics: Judges, the Constitution, and Gun Control Laws.” RealClearPolitics. Creators Syndicate Inc., June 29, 2010. Web. March 10, 2012. The author is a general columnist and writes political columns, including publishing weekly columns in Forbes magazine. He is a respected senior economist. His article shows the author's point of view on how stricter laws will increase gun violence. Sugarmann, Josh. Every Gun Is Pointed at You: The Case for the Gun Ban. New York: New, 2001. Print. The author is the executive director/founder of the Violence Policy Center. He has published two books on the topic of firearms and has written numerous articles for various newspapers throughout the country. This book examines gun violence in America and why we should ban firearms completely.