Gun Control
It is clear that gun rights need to be reevaluated; there is no question that guns have to be taken off the streets. Not only are common citizens saying so but recently I heard an US attorney say the same thing. We need to move away from the culture where you can buy a gun over the internet.
The Second Amendment provides citizens the right to bear arms. However, it is important to consider the context of the Second Amendment. We must not forget the Second Amendment was adopted in 1791, at a when the young Republic still faced many potential conflicts and threats. Thus it was necessary to provide citizens with the ability to bear arms to protect the State. The amendment specifically refers to the need for a well-regulated militia. Further, the times were violent, and gun fights in town streets were common. Now it is 2012. There is no need for ordinary citizens to organize to protect the State; we have the U.S military for that. There are no duels in the streets.
I recognize guns are used for recreational activities such as hunting; we should be able to find a way to protect such activities without having guns on the streets.
There is no question that the U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land. But we need to move with the times. How many more children have to die before we do something about it?
I urge gun advocates to pause and think -may be, just may be it is time to move past the past, may be it is time to change...
|
