Gun control is the set of laws or policies that regulate the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification or use of firearms by civilians, not the radical left’s definition of gun control.

Gun control only means that one should be in control of their firearm at all times.

How is this accomplished?

Through responsible firearm ownership, which can be broken down into three critical measures.

First, know how to use your firearm.

Second, keep your firearm safe.

Third, promote firearm safety.

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These three critical measures that result in responsible firearm ownership are the type of gun control that should be promoted. By practicing responsible firearm ownership, you are controlling your gun.

If you are a law-abiding gun owner, it is your duty to practice responsible firearm ownership. As a gun owner, you have passed numerous requirements to purchase and own a firearm. The more prominent reasons to be denied include a felony conviction, a misdemeanor conviction punishable by more than two years in prison, a domestic violence charge, dishonorable discharge from the military, or being ruled mentally unfit by a judge.

By not falling into these categories it is expected of you by society to practice the three critical measures of responsible firearm ownership previously stated.

Even with the long list of requirements to meet in order to purchase and own a firearm, the left would still like to see its ideas of gun control become law and further restrict law-abiding citizens from owning firearms.

According to a recent Pew Research Center poll, protection tops the list of reasons for owning a firearm. Furthermore, 74 percent of gun owners believe that owning a firearm is tied to their sense of personal freedom.

So why then does the left continue its assault on their second amendment rights, when the primary reason for owning a firearm is for self-defense?

There can be no sound reasoning for implementing stricter gun laws on law-abiding citizens when the data prove that stricter gun control laws do not work. As of June 30, more than 1,700 people have been shot in Chicago.

Yet, the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence ranked Illinois No. 8 in the country for strictest gun control laws — California is ranked No. 1.

California has extreme gun control measures such as a 10-day waiting period on gun purchases, universal background checks, gun registration, gun confiscation laws, an “assault weapons” ban, and a “good cause” requirement for concealed carry.

With all of these restrictions, a troubled person was still able to acquire firearms and kill three people.

Why then does the left continue to push for legislation that will only harm law-abiding citizens?

Remember, always practice responsible firearm ownership. Be in control of your firearm. Know how to use it, keep it safe and promote firearm safety.

If you live by these three critical measures, you will be helping all firearm owners and hurting the Radical Left's gun control agenda.

Tyler Yzaguirre is the co-founder and president of the Second Amendment Institute, which promotes gun rights through education and activism. Follow him on Twitter @tyleryz3

The views expressed by contributors are their own and are not the views of The Hill.