Blog Stage Four: National Review Blog by David French.

The Grand Gun Game, to own or not to own seems to be the question. There a multitude of opinions that the left and right have regarding gun control. The issue of safety always comes up. David French writes a very interesting piece in the National Review titled “America is Changing – One Carry Permit at a Time” . There is a breakdown of details that French provides that is a clear picture as to what is currently occurring. A fast moving wave in America’s gun ownership is happening. Over 16.36 million people have carry permits. That outstanding number is nicely followed by the following statement that "At the same time that carry permits have increased at an astonishing rate, violent crime has decreased, and concealed-carry permit holders remain remarkably law-abiding. From 2007 to 2015, murder rates decreased by 12.5 percent and “overall violent crime fell by 18 percent.”

There is a definite focus that the article is meant for pro-gun rights activist and right leaning individuals.  Yet despite the obvious sentiment, the figures represented are very interesting. French has been around fire arms since he was a child and is aware of the massive responsibilities that are required to be a responsible gun owner. He argues the positive power that citizens have when they own a guns and detail in his final paragraph, and when he states” An armed citizenry is more likely to remain a free citizenry, and free citizens are more likely to maintain the independence and courage that have long been hallmarks of the American spirit.” Owning a carry permit requires you to have a deeper understanding of guns in general. A right to bear arms, is a right to bear arms. French very clearly expresses this and instills a sense that owning a gun is not for a dark and criminal master mind. Carry permits are applied for by law abiding citizen and should be respected as such.