Following are some interesting statistics about firearms and the 2nd Amendment.

14.8 Million - number of Americans who currently participate in rifle target shooting. 18.4 Million participate in hand gun target shooting.

In response to a question about why Americans made their most recent firearm purchase, 40 percent of respondents said “home protection” followed by 36 percent citing “personal protection.” Target shooting (30 percent) and hunting (28 percent) came next.

In 2010 it was reported between 39% and 42% of the people have guns in their home of some type.

45% Percentage - number of Americans who say an invitation would inspire them to participate in target shooting

69% Percentage - number of Americans who, once invited, would like to shoot a rifle at the range.

25% Percentage - number of Americans who, once invited to shoot, would like to go hunting.

Over 3 Billion - number of rim fire rounds sold annually in the United States

500 Million - number of center fire rounds sold annually in the United States

Firearms were commonly carried when our country was founded, but by the early 1900s, most states had prohibited the carrying of firearms—openly, concealed or both. In the worst 20th century example of government contempt for the basic right of self-defense, local politicians in Washington, D.C., prohibited carrying a loaded firearm within your own home, even if you were being attacked.

Today, thanks to the work of countless NRA members and the state legislators they worked to elect, over two-thirds of Americans live in Right-to-Carry states. Permit reciprocity between the states, while not yet universal, is widespread. Four states allow concealed carry without a permit. And as we have achieved these legislative and political victories, the total violent crime rate has declined to a 37-year low, proving that permit holders can protect themselves in a responsible manner.

Rates have been decreasing since 2008, with both murder and robbery experiencing the sharpest drops since last year – 5.7 and 7.7 percent, respectively. Arson, which is categorized as a property crime, was down by no less than 8.6 percent nationwide. A number of statistic tables were made available on the FBI website.

With only a few days left in December (2011), the FBI reported the number of background checks had topped the previous one-month record -- set only in November -- of 1,534,414 inquiries by gun dealers to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System also known as NICS. Almost half a million checks were done in just the last six days before Christmas.

The National Rifle Association says the figures indicate more people feel they need guns for self defense. "I think there's an increased realization that when something bad occurs, it's going to be between them and the criminal.” Most Americans now realize police cannot be everywhere there's trouble. Police officers don’t normally stop crime they investigate crimes.

Personally, I think people who want to commit a crime think twice because of all the people who are exercising their 2nd Amendment right to carry a firearm for self-protection. The numbers are there for all to see. What remains to be seen is whether gun control supporters will stop claiming more guns mean more crime.