Firearms have been used throughout history for warfare, hunting, and protection. Since then, the killing capacity and speed of firearms have improved greatly. Guns have been part of American culture since its roots. However, as times have changed and firearms are no longer a necessity, gun control has become increasingly urgent to prevent unnecessary crimes and murders. Firearms should be banned for everyone except law enforcement and the military. Firearms should be banned to prevent mass shootings and lower crime rates, while being supported by history and the Constitution. An ever-increasing emphasis on preventing mass shootings has presented the option of gun controls and bans. Mass shootings have occurred many times throughout history, but have become more widespread as the spread of information has increased through new forms of media. Two recent mass shootings occurred at Columbine High School and Sandy Hook Elementary School. At Columbine, Dylan Kliebold and Eric Harris killed 12 students and 1 teacher. At Sandy Hook, Adam Lanza, a socially awkward and mildly autistic student with no criminal record, killed his mother, took 4 of her AR-15 rifles and .223 caliber bullets to kill 20 children and 6 adults. The effectiveness of gun control in preventing mass shootings is often debated. “A mass workplace shooting by Salvador Tapia, who had multiple arrests for domestic violence, could have been avoided if the company Tapia worked for had required a background check before hiring him” ( May np). Furthermore, "the weapons used in the Colorado attack were purchased by private collectors at gun shows, and none of the 'straw' buyers who obtained them for the killers were subjected to a background check" ( Rosen np). Based on this information...... middle of the paper ......kmark&u=scss11_ebooks&jsid=b7bb0f9fb00c7c1c50890d2ccc179f15>US Const. modify. II. Print.Westen, Drew. "Guns in the brain: When it comes to gun control, Democrats are silent. As with many hot-button social issues, they can't figure out how to reach people's emotions. Here's how they can regain their moral compass — and their power of speech ." The American Prospect 18.6 (2007): 51+. Opposing points of view in context. Network. January 16, 2014.Document URL