Gun crime in America has become a major problem. We are bombarded by the media with story after story of the widespread use of guns in horrific and tragic crimes. These crimes too often result in a single or even several deaths. Politicians and legislators are constantly trying to find ways to reduce these crimes and keep the public safe. Unfortunately, their ideas or methods involve measures to reduce or eliminate public access to firearms. This method only infringes on the fundamental and most important of all American rights, the right to keep and bear arms, as defined in the Second Amendment. It also takes guns from honest, law-abiding citizens and puts them in the hands of the criminals who commit these crimes. The only effective way to reduce gun crime and unnecessary gun deaths is through education, not new gun control laws. This education must start from the beginning, defining where gun rights come from and why these rights are necessary. The Constitution of the United States serves to define the rights and freedoms of the people and is the supreme law of the land. The most important freedom or right defined in the Constitution is the right of Americans to keep and bear arms. This right was so important to the framers that it was second among the fundamental freedoms and privileges set forth in the Bill of Rights. The Second Amendment reads: “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.” This right grants law-abiding American citizens the privilege to legally own and use firearms. The right of citizens "to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed", meaning politicians and legislators do not...... middle of paper...... 2013 Kates, B. Don and Mauser, Gary “Would Ban Guns Reduces Murder, Suicide” Harvard Law Journal Vol. 30 (1991): webpage November 26, 2013Kleck, Gary and Gertz, Marc “Armed Resistance to Crime: The Prevalence and Nature of Firearm Self-Defense” saf. .orgJournal of Criminal Law and Criminology, Vol. 86, no. 1 (1995): Web November 26, 2013 “Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, Constitution” archive.govThe Charters of Freedom, November 26, 2013. “In other countries, the laws are strict and work” nytimes.com The New York Times, December 17, 2012. Web. November 26, 2013 “Hunter safety courses prevent accidents and save lives” hunters-ed.comUtah Hunters Course nd. Web. November 26, 2013 “Learning from the DC Handgun ban” Washingtontimes.com.Washington Times, March 2, 2010. Web.. 2013