America has the highest number of gun-related deaths each year in the world. “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 such as machine guns. Gun control laws should support both sides of the debate. Of course, both sides will not be completely satisfied with the laws created, but America should have a balance. In 2008, a survey was conducted that stated, “Adult respondents' views on the meaning of the Second Amendment; Individual right to bear arms: Republicans 51% and Democrats 41%” (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). Unless the Second Amendment is changed, we cannot take away the right of others to own guns. However, the government should regulate the types of guns 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 believed to survive and protect. . “As Americans civilized the wilderness, they would eventually be able to rely not only on their own individual self-defense skills for protection, but also on the laws, civil authorities, and other institutions of government they were building.” ( Whitney, Pg. 103 ). The United States did not have the civil authorities we have today. Americans had to rely on guns to protect themselves as laws evolved. Times were different in America and that's why the Second Amendment was ideal. Firearms, such as the AK-47, did not exist, firearms at the time were too slow to load and this is one of the reasons why gun control was not a serious issue. Gun control became necessary throughout history as different types of weapons emerged and people became interested not only out of civic duty but also for entertainment or violence. The National Firearms Act, enacted in 1934, “All sales and manufacturers of arms were hit with a tax of $200 on each firearm and all purchasers were required to fill out paperwork subject to the Treasury Department.