Many advantages and disadvantages have been discussed regarding gun control. Over the years, the federal government has passed various laws restricting gun ownership and use (O'Neil 56). Congress strengthened the Gun Control Act of 1938 which now prohibits gun dealers from selling guns to buyers under the age of twenty-one (O'Neil 56). Gun control laws also prohibit a gun dealer from selling a firearm to convicted felons and the mentally ill and from selling a rifle to buyers under eighteen (O'Neil 13). Gun control eliminates some factors related to gun violence and illegal possession which is the highest priority for this law (O'Neil 60). Recent laws have become stricter regarding firearms, this can be seen as a good idea but, for any law, there is a downside (O'Neil 61). In the near future, if firearms become severely restricted, the only users will be those who flaunt the law, i.e. the same people who should not own a firearm (Bernards 23). Even if it were possible to ban firearms, there are several hundred million firearms in private hands right now (O'Neil 84). People have debated this decision thoroughly, it may or may not reduce gun violence in America (O'Neil 67). An example that banning firearms could work is Great Britain which, after a major massacre in 1996, decided to ban firearms (O'Neil 64). Great Britain banned all semi-automatic pistols and also encouraged its citizens to turn in their weapons to the British government (O'Neil 65). Gun control is seen as positive and negative based on how the government will control and control guns in the United States