
Gun control is a topic which rages in the forefront of modern politics within the United States. As a nation, we are known for having some of the most lenient gun control laws in the world which is a step outside the norm for most first world nations. Although gun control is an issue which threatens to compromise the security of citizens all across the nation, the answer cannot be simply sought after by the federal or state governments alone.
Why is gun control so difficult?
The topic of firearms is one which strikes a chord differently between the mentality of our citizens. It is considered to be one of the fundamental rights as an American by most, however there are some which feel that our laws are outdated and stricter legislation is needed to prevent violence related to guns. As a country that essentially started from a militia rebellion the right to bear arms has been ingrained in our culture since the birth of this nation.
Why is gun control important?
One of the leading causes of the gun control debate stems from the violence occurring from drug cartels in Mexico. As the saying goes, “drugs flow North, guns flow South”. This is the lifeline of the drug cartels who have adopted the strategy of purchasing American guns to fuel their violence and criminal enterprises. Controversies over incidents such as the “Fast and Furious” botched sting operation which directly resulted in the death of one border patrol agent are bringing the issue to the forefront of politics.
Additionally, violence which occurs domestically in the United States brings forth more questions on why gun control legislation is not being considered. Looking back on our history we have had a number of violent incidents which entailed a gunman wreaking havoc on civilians. Some of these incidents include the Columbine shooting, North Hollywood shootout, the Beltway sniper, Virginia Tech massacre and more recently the Aurora Colorado movie theatre shooting. Incidents such as these combined with the weekly homicides in our metropolises are some of the driving forces to gun control legislation.
What kinds of firearms can I possess?
Firearm possession laws are largely determined by the state governments with limited control by the federal government. This means that depending on the state you live in, the right to purchase and possess certain firearms may be restricted. The right to carry, for example, fully automatic firearms is not illegal within the US however it is regulated. These weapons are referred to as Class 3 weapons and require registration with the federal government.
The four major laws that influence the purchase and sale of Class 3 weapons are the National Firearms Act, Gun Control Act, Firearm Owners Protection Act and Hughes Amendment. The latter of these was passed in 1986 which essentially means that fully automatic firearms can only be possessed if they were manufactured and registered prior to May 19, 1986. Despite this, it is still possible to purchase a Class 3 firearm so long as it existed before this date.
What kind of weapons can a bail bondsman carry?
The type of weapons available for use by a bounty hunter or bail bondsman vary from state to state. Essentially a bondsman is able to carry any firearm a private citizen can possess however they can also apply for a concealed weapon permit if they have a peace officer license. The bail bonds industry is a dangerous one and as such it is important to have protection when chasing potentially unstable fugitives.
In most states a bail bondsman or bounty hunter will employ the use of less than lethal or (LTL) weapons which include pepper spray, bean bag rounds or rubber rounds when attempting the apprehension of a fugitive. This serves two purposes, one is that they need their fugitive alive to get paid and the second is to ensure there are no unnecessary legal repercussions while they are conducting business.









