Here is a really good article about the ins and outs of the gun debate.  It doesn't break any new ground, but the writer, Bart Hinkle, clearly and concisely hits on the primary gun rights vs gun control issues.  I strongly recommend reading the whole thing here:  but here are some good quotes:
 

In fact, according to an analysis by The Atlantic of 30 mass shootings from 2003 to 2013, broader background checks would have stopped only one: Douglas Williams’ slaughter at a Lockheed Martin plant.

and

Although there are millions of so-called assault rifles in circulation (3.3 million Colt AR-15s alone, for example), they actually are used in homicides less often than hammers and clubs. And that’s true for all rifles, not just the scary-looking kind. In 2013, FBI data show, 285 people were killed with rifles — and 428 with blunt instruments.

One of my favorite things about the article is that he is able to make all these points without even discussing the second amendment which I personally consider more philosophical and hypothetical than the actual reason I myself am involved with guns - personal protection.