The Real Numbers Behind America's Gun Laws: A Data-Driven Perspective

From the Bench: Separating fact from fiction in the ongoing firearms debate

By: Hootey Cline | Blue Coat Arms Company

As a professional gunsmith who works daily with firearms and their owners, I've witnessed firsthand the disconnect between political rhetoric and statistical reality. Let's examine what the data actually tells us about firearms regulation and violence in America.

The Regulatory Reality

America currently has between 18,000 and 20,000 laws regulating every aspect of firearm existence – from manufacturing to end use. Some sources cite as many as 50,000 laws, though the exact number remains uncertain due to overlapping federal, state, and local jurisdictions.

What's clear is this: firearms are among the most regulated commodities in our country. It has long been illegal to assault, rob, threaten, or murder another person, regardless of the tool used to commit these acts.

What the Statistics Actually Show

According to data from the FBI, CDC, and Department of Justice Bureau of Statistics:

• Gun ownership has nearly doubled since 1993

• Gun crimes have fallen by almost the same percentage over the same period

• 150-200 million law-abiding Americans own firearms

• Rifles of all types are used in so few crimes that the FBI doesn't statistically track them separately

• More people are killed by blunt objects than by rifles of any kind

These numbers paint a clear picture: law-abiding gun owners are not the source of America's violence problem.

The Enforcement Gap

The fundamental question remains: what additional law would specifically deter, prevent, or eliminate criminal use of firearms?

If legal gun owners were truly the problem, with 150-200 million armed citizens, our streets would indeed be "awash with blood" – but they're not. The issue isn't lack of laws; it's consistent enforcement of existing ones.

The solution lies in targeting criminals, not constitutional rights.

Historical Context and Lessons

History provides sobering examples of where firearms registration leads. The German Weimar Republic required citizen gun registration in the 1920s and 1930s, with specific provisions preventing the use of those registrations for confiscation.

Then came 1933. Despite legal protections, firearms were systematically seized from targeted groups, contrary to existing law. Critics may dismiss historical parallels, but the pattern remains consistent: registration precedes confiscation.

Modern International Examples

Recent statements by political leaders referencing United Kingdom and Australian firearms laws as "worthy of consideration" should concern every American who values constitutional rights. These references aren't about safety – they're about control.

The Real Agenda

Professional observation suggests that modern gun control efforts have little to do with public safety and everything to do with political control. The goal appears to be disarming those who would resist centralized government authority.

Every modern requirement for firearms registration has led to the same logical progression: registration, then confiscation, followed by the systematic oppression of disarmed populations.

A Gunsmith's Perspective

In my shop, I see the reality of American gun ownership daily. Hunters preparing for season, competitive shooters fine-tuning their equipment, collectors preserving history, and citizens exercising their constitutional rights responsibly.

These aren't the people committing crimes. These are Americans who understand that the Second Amendment exists not for hunting or sport, but as the ultimate check on government overreach.

The Bottom Line

The only thing preventing the implementation of authoritarian policies in America is an armed citizenry that refuses to be disarmed. This isn't paranoia – it's historical precedent and constitutional wisdom.

No matter your era, we got your six – and that includes defending the constitutional rights that make America unique.

What's your take on the current state of firearms legislation? Have you noticed the disconnect between political rhetoric and statistical reality? Share your thoughts below