America has the highest number of gun-related deaths in the world each year. “In Germany 381, in France 255, in Canada 165, in the United Kingdom 68, in Australia 65, in Japan 39 and in the United States 11,127” (Moore Michael, 51:15-51:48). Since the United States has the highest number of deaths, it is important to have gun control laws that prevent people from owning dangerous firearms like machine guns. Gun control laws should support both sides of the debate. Of course, both sides won't be entirely happy with the laws created, but America should find a balance. In 2008, a poll was conducted indicating: “The opinions of adults surveyed on the meaning of the Second Amendment; The right of the individual to bear arms: Republicans 51% and Democrats 41%” (The History of the Right to Bear Arms). Today, the United States is more divided than ever on gun control. The Second Amendment states: “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” (Milestones in Federal Gun Control Legislation on fire). Unless the Second Amendment is amended, we cannot take away the right of others to own guns. However, the government should regulate the types of weapons Americans can own and who can own a gun because times have changed and America's mental health system is broken. Decades ago, the United States was once a country where a gun was considered a way to survive and protect. . "As Americans civilized the wilderness, they could eventually rely not only on their own skills in individual self-defense to protect themselves, but also on the laws, civil authorities, and other governmental institutions that they were building” (Whitney, p. 103). ). The United States did not have the civil authorities we have today. Americans have had to rely on guns for protection as laws have evolved. Times were different in America and that is why the Second Amendment was ideal. Guns, like the AK-47, did not exist, guns at the time were too slow to load and this is one of the reasons why gun control was not not a serious problem. Gun control has become necessary throughout history, as different types of guns emerged and people became interested not only in civic duty, but also in entertainment or violence . The National Firearms Act, enacted in 1934, "All sales and manufacturers of firearms were hit with a $200 firearms tax." each firearm, and all buyers were required to complete paperwork submitted to the Treasury Department.