The Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America says: “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

Its meaning is so simple, yet not simple enough.

The Second Amendment was initially written so that citizens could protect themselves from the government, should tyranny occur. Since the ratification of the Bill of Rights in 1791, firearms have evolved in efficacy and, therefore, deadliness.

Firearms are manufactured for a variety of purposes and made in different types. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) issues licenses for nine types of firearms, with the most common being pistols, revolvers, shotguns and rifles. The ATF requires a serial number, manufacturer name and city (should the firearm be manufactured in the U.S.), any assigned model designation, caliber, gauge and the importer name, city and state (if it was not made in the U.S.) to be placed conspicuously onto the firearm.

Gun violence plagues the U.S. more so than any other country in the world. In 2017 alone 39,773 Americans died from gun-related injuries–– this statistic includes homicides and suicides. Most recently, on Nov. 30, a 15-year-old Oxford High School sophomore from Michigan, Ethan Crumbley, killed four students using a 9 mm Sig Sauer SP2022 pistol. Crumbley is charged with four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of assault with intent to murder, one count of terrorism causing death and 12 counts of possessing a firearm while committed a felony. His parents have been charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter due to their careless storage of the handgun, which was stored in an unlocked drawer next to ammunition.

Americans are facing a crisis of gun ignorance and violence. This is an unfortunate, yet factual statement, that cannot be ignored.

The Pew Research Center conducted a study in April of 2021 that sought to identify demographic differences between gun control support. 87% of both Democratic leaning and Republican leaning individuals supported policies that would prevent people with mental illnesses from purchasing guns. Conservative or Libertarian firearm owners were least supportive of policies restricting access to guns, while Liberal non-owners were most supportive. On the bipartisan level, Americans in rural areas favor fewer gun laws, while Americans in urban areas see gun restriction policies as beneficial.

Guns will never be eradicated entirely from the U.S.. The liberal notion that guns will vanish, and law-abiding citizens will gladly give theirs up is false. The solution to ending gun violence is emphasizing the importance of proper gun safety and education.

Firearm owners who kept their firearms locked or unloaded were at least 60% less likely to die from suicide than those who kept theirs unlocked and/or loaded, according to the Biden Administration.

Nemours Kids Health has a guide to parents for how to properly educate their children on an age-appropriate level the dangers of firearms and the responsibility of gun usage. The RAND corporation reported that 61% of firearm owners in the United States have received formal training on firearm safety and use and were more likely to safely store firearms than those without training.

The clear answer to solving gun violence is not enforcing gun control but promoting gun safety. Americans will always own firearms–– 400 million firearms of various types are currently owned in the U.S.––and it is imperative that children and adults are taught how to properly identify, respond to and use firearms.

Education will keep firearms out of the wrong hands, and statistics prove this.