The United States of America is one of the most powerful nations on Earth. After both World Wars, the United States has helped to lead the world in ways of industrial strength and political diplomacy. Even with the effects of the economic recession, the United States still leads other countries in terms of education, wealth, and military strength. However, one of the more unfortunate categories that the U.S. also dominates internationally is gun violence.

The Second Amendment of the Constitution gives citizens the right to bear arms. However,  in the post-Revolutionary War period, arms were just muskets and the American people had just won a war against the British Empire. If the Founding Fathers knew that in the modern age, people could get AR-15 assault rifles and drum magazines that can hold more than 100 rounds; they might be a little intimated. But despite this advancement in technology, people still believe that guns are important to help protect themselves and their loved ones against intruders and criminals.

Even with many citizens adamantly expressing this idea, guns are essentially just killing tools, neither shields nor guardian angels. With the recent public shootings at Aurora and Sandy Hook claiming American lives, it is time for the government to take action. Why do Americans need assault rifles when they were intended for military service? Does one really need an M4 to go hunting with?

The obsession that many American people have with their guns is costly, considering the rising amount of gun violence, especially involving children. In most developed countries such as Germany and England laws exist that ban guns, except for police use. Because of this, their crime rates are much lower than those in the United States.

With increasing violence, around fifty-three percent of Americans want reform when it comes to gun laws. Because more than half of American citizens want changes in gun laws, change should happen. One supporter of gun restrictions is senior Henry Holmes, “I think there should be a crackdown on it… there should be limitations for people who have bad track records,”

America wants change when it comes to getting guns as well as their use. For the safety of future Americans and to prevent tragedies like the shooting at Sandy Hook elementary, there should be reforms on gun control in this country. Restrictions should exist not to as a way to control the American people, but rather to protect the American people from potentially lethal harm. Sandy Hook, Columbine, Virginia Tech are among the many gun- related tragedies that should never have happened and that America should work to avoid future repetition.  Nobody deserves to lose loved ones because someone decided to go on a shooting rampage. Americans deserve better and that is why it’s fine time to put guns on a leash.