The government has no right turning a blind eye to criminals who possess arms, allowing innocent citizens to live unprotected in their own homes. It is far too late to restrict access to guns, anyway. The market has already opened its arms to criminals who have stashes of weapons. Those weapons aren't going anywhere and so American citizens must have unrestricted access to the weapons that can protect them from being killed by criminals. Gun control also prevents objective education surrounding the proper use of guns. If young adults are taught how to properly store and use a firearm they are less likely to use them indiscriminately. Respect for guns helps create a more educated, enlightened society instead of one that cowers in fear from the very thought of a weapon that has been around for centuries.

The original purpose of the Second Amendment was to empower the citizens of the United States: to ensure that if a tyrannical government should instate itself the people have the power and the right to form militias. Even if the idea seems far-fetched, for a government to suddenly become tyrannical is by no means impossible. As the Commander-in-Chief, the President of the United States has at his or her disposal the full onslaught of the American military. If the President wanted to mobilize troops for some malicious purpose, then citizens should have the right to protect themselves, their families and their communities. Gun control would mean that American citizens are powerless to defend themselves against their own government. Gun control would also mean that in the case of a sudden terrorist attack that citizens would be wholly dependent on the American government and its armed forces to step in. In reality, though, by the time the government organized troops to a disaster zone it would be too late. The right of the people to keep and bear arms is more important now in the age of terrorism than it ever was even when the Bill of Rights was drafted.

Preserving...

Because guns fall into the hands of the wrong people, Americans need ready access to weapons that protect them. Similarly, because gun violence takes place, Americans must have at their disposal the means by which to squelch a gunman and avert further disaster. Taking away guns from the people strips citizens of their essential human freedoms, placing Americans at the mercy of their government for the protection of their body, of their family, and of their possessions. Most Americans should by know realize that the government cannot always respond to disasters as it should. Law enforcement officials do not always respond in a timely enough fashion to help a citizen in distress. The botched response to Hurricane Katrina also shows how the American government cannot be counted on in all situations. Stripping citizens of the right to bear arms amounts to nothing less than tyranny: an insult to the intelligence of the people. Gun control underestimates the ability of citizens to educate themselves in proper weapons storage and usage. Gun control places too much power in the hands of the government: which can so easily turn on the people. The American Constitution should rarely be tampered with; its Bill of Rights was written with wisdom and foresight. The right to keep and bear arms is immutable.
References

Agresti, J.A. (1999). "Gun Control. "Just Facts. Retrieved May 15, 2008 at http://www.justfacts.com/guncontrol.asp

Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Website retrieved May 15, 2008 at http://www.bradycampaign.org/

Gun Control." Almanac of Policy Issues.Retrieved May 15, 2008 at http://www.policyalmanac.org/crime/guns.shtml

National Rifle Association. Retrieved May 15, 2008 at http://www.nra.org/home.aspx

Original Intent and Purpose of the Second Amendment." GunSite. Retrieved May 15, 2008 at http://www.guncite.com/gc2ndpur.html