The debate over the right to bear arms under the Second Amendment has been a highly contentious issue for many years in American history. The issue has been one of the most controversial issues in the second half of the twentieth century and into the twenty-first; discussed between politicians on the liberal and conservative sides along with issues such as abortion, capital punishment, and gay marriage. The Supreme Court officially settled the controversial Second Amendment by stating that states have the right to maintain a militia separate from a federally controlled military (Gale Encyclopedia, pages 155-162). However, “courts have consistently held that state and federal governments can legally regulate the sale, transfer, receipt, possession, and use of certain categories of firearms, as well as dictate who may or may not own a gun (Gale Encyclopedia, pages 155-162).” Therefore, the issue is extremely difficult to clarify. Which side is right? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Gun Control, Funk & Wagnall's), in the United States alone approximately 30,000 people are killed by firearms each year. Although some restrictions and laws have been introduced, both the conservative and liberal sides are satisfied with neither the lack of action nor the fact that too much action has been taken. "According to a 2004 survey by the Harvard School of Public Health (Gun Control, Funk & Wagnall's) approximately 38% of US households and 26% of individuals owned at least one gun, and approximately half of individuals owned 4 or more . ” Both sides turn to the only argument-focused document for evidence to support their position: the Second Amendment states that: “......at the heart of the document......the our beliefs. While there may be a right and a wrong view, perhaps Americans should be grateful when we discuss our views of living in a place where we can actually do so. 2003. p155-162.“Gun Control.” Funk and Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. Web. October 11, 2011.Spitzer, Robert J. The Right to Bear Arms: Rights and Freedoms Under the Law. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2001. Print. "The right to bear arms." UMKC School of Law, October 16, 2011. Tushnet, Mark. "Interpreting the Right to Bear Arms: Gun Regulation and Constitutional Law." The New England Journal of Medicine. April 3, 2008. Web. October 15, 2011. Tushnet, Mark V. Out of Range: Why the Constitution Cannot End the Gun Battle. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2007. Print.Constitution of the United States.