~ Table of Contents ~

1. Introduction
2. Facts on gun control
3. Gun statistics in the U.S.
4. Teenage activist on gun control
5. What Sarah Merkle said
6. Personal stories
7. Conclusion
8. Works cited

Gun Control
Facts, Statistics, and more

Introduction
by
Laura Nelson
on January 26
When someone mentions guns, what do you think of? Action movies? Hunting? Or murder? In this
article, you will learn both sides to the gun control argument, including part of Obamas moving gun

control speech, and get information on Marylands own Sarah Merkle, speaking out against gun
control. Facts and statistics from various websites are also listed here, as well as both of the arguments
on gun control.

Facts on Gun Control

by
Laura Nelson
on January 26
Gun violence was always a problem because people were killed or injured a lot with guns. Some people
also attempted to commit suicide. Therefore, the president gave a moving speech on gun control and
violence, putting new laws enforcing deeper background checks and licensing was put into place. As a
result, the USs crime rate fell. Five years ago this week, a sitting member of Congress and 18 others
were shot at, at a supermarket in Tucson, Arizona. It wasnt the first time I had to talk to the nation in
www.whitehouse.gov

)
response to a mass shooting, nor would it be the last, (
Obama states, meaning that all
over the U.S., people are being shot at, killed, and injured.

THIS WEEKS
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Gun Statistics in the U.S.

by
Laura Nelson
on January 26
Every year, guns are used over 80x more often to protect a life than to take one, is stated on
americangunfacts.com
. 270 million is approximate number of guns owned by people in America, most
of which are used in self defense. Three out of five polled felons (People in prison) say they wont mess
americangunfacts.com

)
with an armed victim. (
The 10 states with the lowest homicide rates are: North Dakota,
Vermont, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Utah, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts and Oregon,
factcheck.org
says.

Teenage Activist on Gun Control

by
Laura Nelson
on January 26
Sarah Merkle got involved in gun control when she read about what the possible outcomes were. More
guns equal more killings and self-inflicted deaths, which gives a bad name to the state. Since more
guns means more death, gun control laws could save lives. But, as a contrasting point, less guns DOES
NOT mean less crime. Merkle says, Ever since I first learned how to shoot, the issue with gun violence
www.huffingtonpost.com

)
around the nation became clear guns are not the problem, people are. (
I agree with
this, it is the person with the gun shooting the person, not the gun of its own accord. Some people do
not understand this, usually the ones leaning towards the laws. These people also believe that guns
make people violent.

What Sarah Merkle Said

by
Laura Nelson
on January 26
Relatively few are actually killed by guns, and education is needed to prevent accidents. Many people
all over the world wonder if gun control laws would drastically cut down the crime, suicide and
homicide levels. Merkle states, Purging (To cleanse) our society of violence and murder cannot be
www.huffingtonpost.com

)
done by gun control legislation." (
This means that the input of gun control laws will not
lower death rates. Many people have many different views on this topic, some saying that gun control
would help, and some, like Sarah Merkle, saying that gun control would not make a difference.

Personal Stories
by
Laura Nelson
on January 26
Most people in the world allow anyone to buy guns with only a few exceptions. In Alaska, you only
need a license. My mother asked the guy if she could buy a gun there, and he said that she only needed
a license and shed have an awfully hard time trying to get it back on the cruise ship. Also, my uncle
tries hunting, and this past summer he taught me and my older cousins about using guns. A side note?
Hes never shot anything other than targets.

Conclusion
by
Laura Nelson
on January 26
In conclusion, its the person that kills, not the gun. I agree, we could use more background checks
before acquiring any weapon. But a closer look at these facts and statistics could change your mind
about guns. I think people should be better informed on the topic of gun control and use.

Pew pew pew

WORKSCITED
1. AfactuallookatgunsinAmericaJanuary29,2016
www.americangunfacts.com
2. GunfactsJanuary28,2016
www.factcheck.org
3. 15YearOldMarylandGirlArguesAgainstGunControlJanuary29,2016
www.huffingtonpost.com
4. RemarksbythePresidentonCommonSenseGunSafetyReformJanuary28,2016
www.whitehouse.gov