In a time, long gone, when we were British colonists, promising fealty to the English king, their soldiers could enter our homes and confiscate guns, food, and whatever suited their fancy. When we threw them out and went out on our own, we wanted to protect our families and our homes and formalize some of the rights we’d fought for…ergo, the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution, what we called The Bill of Rights. Those rights included freedom of speech and freedom of religion. But we were ‘stuck’ on that protection thing, hence, the inclusion of the 2nd Amendment:
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.
I mean, who can argue with those 27 words. After all, in those days it could take a minute or more to reload a musket or a flintlock pistol. And, if the British returned, we’d certainly want our militias to have loaded guns at hand ready to blunt their attacks.
What I have trouble understanding is how we got from muskets to AR-15 assault weapons with 30 round magazines capable of emptying it all in less than 5 seconds killing anyone in its path.
Nowhere has ‘strict constructionism,’ i.e. been taken more literally…’the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed,’ has created a society unique in the civilized world.
Americans own more than 3 million assault rifles…nearly 400 million weapons in total…that’s more than one for every man, woman, and child in the country. We own more than twice the number of weapons per capita than the #2 country and that’s the Falkland Islands, followed by Serbia and Yemen.
Guns for home defense…guns for hunting…guns for sport, all have a legitimate place in our society, but assault, and other high-powered, weapons that can be purchased at any 7-11 type gun store or trade show baffle me.
And have we infringed by doing a back-round check or demanding training in use and safety? Further, have we infringed on the safety of those put at risk?
“Gun violence is a leading cause of premature death in the U.S. Guns kill more than 38,000 people and cause nearly 85,000 injuries each year.” So says the American Public Health Association.
In the first six months of 2022, there were over 300 mass shootings across the U.S., including the shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas. In the first month of 2023 there have already been nearly 40…more than one per day.
There is no disagreement that the people who commit these atrocities are mentally disturbed and need psychological help, but in the meantime, we are traumatizing far too many with a fear that they may be the next target. ‘Active shooter drills’ for elementary school children…really?
America needs to rethink its history and its future. No part of the country has been immune. It is a cancer that infects all races in small towns and big cities alike.
Now, where can I buy a hand grenade or bazooka?