Thus, the availability of handguns not only results in a surprisingly large amount of deaths each year, but also those deaths disproportionately affect juveniles and the mentally ill. If hand guns were unavailable to the population, juvenile murders would be less likely to occur, as would accidental discharges resulting in death and suicide. Because of these statistics and the lives that were lost or severely altered due to gun violence and gun accidents, a federal gun ban is necessary.

In addition to death and injury, public access to firearms results in an increased rate of crime. Although this problem is of a serious nature, it has been around, and left unaddressed, since the Civil War (Deconde 117). This is especially true in regards to juvenile crime. As already mentioned, the increase and decrease in juvenile homicides was linked to an increase and decrease in gun-related deaths ("Juveniles and Guns"). Besides simply violent crime, the issue of juveniles and firearms increase the frequency of other crimes, including illegal gun sales to minors ("Juveniles and Guns"). Additionally, the cost of gun crimes in the United States equals about $100,000, not to mention the lives taken by the mostly-unwarranted acts of violence (Cook). While homicides and shootings are obvious gun crimes, other crimes that may be associated with gun use and possession include gang related violence and, illegal gun sales, and illegal gun ownership. Access to guns leads many ex-cons to violate the terms of their probation by purchasing a gun for protection because they are aware that their former enemies (and sometimes friends) are in possession of firearms. Even if this convict is trying to live a lawful life, the possession of this firearm could cost him or his/her freedom (Morley).

In addition to the lives that guns take each year, which number close to 100,000 and consist of 20,000 juveniles and 55% suicides, guns are also responsible for a great deal...

By restricting access to guns, juveniles would neither have them to murder or misfire, dealers could not obtain them to sell illegally, and the mentally ill could not access them to commit suicide. While the issue of gun violence in the United States has been prominent since the Civil War, few steps have been undertaken to solve it. In recent months, steps have been taken to worsen the problem, including the Supreme Court's overturning of the D.C. gun ban. Only with a federally mandated gun ban can the problem of gun crime and gun safety be solved. Because of both gun injuries and gun crime, this ban is necessary and overdue.
Works Cited

Cook, Phillip J. And Ludwig, Jens. Evaluating Gun Policy: Effects on Crime and Violence. Washington, D.C.: Brookings: 2003.

Cromie, William J. "System Tracks Gun Deaths: Details are being collected on murders,

suicides in the U.S." Harvard University Gazette. 28 September 2000: News.

Deconde, Alexander. Gun Violence in America: The Struggle for Control. York: Maple

Press, 2001.

Doherty, Brian. "Court Preserves Gun Rights." Editorials. 2008. Courant.com. 7 July

2008. .

"Juveniles and Guns (sidebar)." Issues & Controversies on File 22 Nov. 2002. Issues & Controversies. Facts on File News Services. 6 July 2008 .

Lott, John R. And Whitley, John E. "Safe-Storage Gun Laws: Accidental Deaths,

Suicides, and Crime. Journal of Law and Economics. 44.2 (2001): 659-689.

"More than half firearm deaths are suicides." U.S. 2008. CNN. 6 July 2008

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Morley, Aaron. Personal Interview. 7 July 2008.

Reich, Kathleen, Cultross, Patti, and Behrman, Richard. "Children, Youth, and Gun

Violence: Analysis and Recommendations." The Future of Children. 12.2 (2002): 5-23.