With all these mass shootings at concert venues, schools (yes, I said schools), playgrounds and churches, perhaps a discussion is in order about what is in the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Well, first of all, it was adopted on Dec. 15, 1791, and reads as follows: “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Short, and to the point. The Founding Fathers were smart, on that we can all agree.
Now, this is where it gets a little tricky. The militia in 1791 were worried about whom, exactly? Mostly, they weren’t worried about the people of the United States of America. No, they were probably worried about England, Denmark, France, Poland, Russia, Japan, Germany, etc.
Now let’s look at their weapon of choice: It was a musket, primarily; that was the weapon of choice for most homeowners.
So I don’t think the amendment covered semi-automatic Uzis, AK-47s, bump stocks, high-capacity magazines, all five branches of the armed services; the FBI, CIA, DEA, Department of Homeland Security, etc.
The way I look at, it we have two choices: Return to muskets. Or go for a new amendment to the Constitution. Of course, all previous amendments have been ratified. Except one, so it’s not in the constitution. And that would be the Equal Rights Amendment. As you know, the ERA was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution, designed to guarantee equal rights for women.
Leigh Nielsen
Durango
