The Second Amendment
73A 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.
- Second Amendment, United States Constitution
The Second Amendment has become the catalyst for one of the most hotly contested debates in American history as to whether or not this amendment entitles the individual to keep and bear arms privately or was it intended only for the military.
Lets go back to the first four words of this amendment - A well regulated Militia . If you know early American history, you know that a militia was an army of citizens, made up of the common man. These men were merchants, farmers, tavern owners, lawyers, and even clergymen, to name few. When a militia was called into service, these men left behind hearth and home to serve. They arrived already armed with their own rifles and pistols, ready to fight. They might have been supplied with gun powder and lead for making balls but the guns they used were their own. Even the militia that fought along side the Continental Army during the American Revolution used their own weapons.
Some say with the military we have today, there’s no need for the average citizen to own guns much less be allowed to carry handguns for personal protection. They also say we have the police to protect us during our everyday lives but that’s not the case. Even law enforcement officers will tell you they can’t be everywhere, all the time. They do all they can to prevent crime but, in most cases, they’re a reactionary force. They’re there to pick up the pieces and solve the crime.
Now lets talk about the words the right of the people to keep and bear Arms . It doesn’t say the military and police only, it says the people . Those people would be the citizens of the United States of America. Keep and bear Arms - we have the right to own guns and use them for the protection of our families and selves.
Then there’s the last four words - shall not be infringed. The right to own and use guns can not be taken away by the government unless, of course, the Second Amendment is repealed. On that subject, Thomas Jefferson said it best in this quote, “The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.” He also said, “The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”
The common man, the people , made up a well regulated Militia to fight for the freedom and independence of this country. Our founding fathers thought it necessary to make sure that the right of the people to keep and bear Arms be one that could not be easily taken away, adding the words shall not be infringed . The debate over the Second Amendment will continue. There are strong opinions on both sides. One of the great things about this country is we have the right to debate and have our own opinions. The ironic thing about this debate is that that right was fought for and won by the use of guns.
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Thanks for the feedback, ShapeShifter. You're right. There are far too many Americans willing to just "go along" because they think it doesn't effect them. If the Second Amendment is repealed, it'll effect us all far worse than we can even imagine.
Once again, thanks.
Well written and researched. Our Forefathers themselves called the first ten amendments the "Bill of Rights", so it's obvious that, like all the others, the Second Amendment also protects an individual right.
It's also worth noting that out of the hundreds of millions of guns legally purchased in the United States, 99.998% are never used in a crime.
Thanks for the comments and the follow, WillStarr.
Most people who dislike guns have probably never touched one because they fear them. They judge those of us that legally carry but we're the ones they want to hide behind when trouble starts. Go figure.
Very well said, and you made my point before I could... the problem more than anything seems to be a simple unfamiliarity (dare I say, "ignorance") of firearms for most people in this day.
People grow up in urban areas where the only thing they ever know about guns are the horror stories they see on the news every night, crimes almost exclusively committed by criminals and gangs with illegal guns.
It's been my experience that about 90% of the people I've met who hate/fear guns have never even held, much less fired, one. If you can convince them to come out shooting and give it an honest chance, their opinion almost always does a 180. Even if they don't become "pro-gun" (which many, including my wife, do), at least they are less "anti-gun nut".
Even people who aren't bothered by guns are okay with losing the right to own them because they don't think it will affect them. Doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out those with guns ultimately help to protect those without, even if indirectly.
Shynsly, you're correct on all points. I was blessed with a father who taught me how to respect and use guns. Too many people don't do that anymore.
As soon as we loose the right to keep and bear arms, we'll need that right the most.
Have you seen this vid?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngsKzdKNAmo
It was posted on another Hub about Castle Doctrine. Very well done, and hilarious.
As a staunch liberal, I fully support your right and my right to have guns. Surprised? You shouldn't be. The fact is, nobody is trying to take away your guns. Nobody HAS tried to take away your guns. In fact, technically, Obama has expanded your gun rights beyond any President in 40 years. I do fully support registering those guns, so we can tell if felons are buying them, and regulate the purchasing of guns at guns shows, as right now, there is no record and no requirements. With regards to the militia comment, historically we didn't have a standing army. In fact, we didn't have a standing army until WWII, and Eisenhower rebuked it on his way out. WITH a standing army, there is no need for a militia, that is, unless we get attacked on our own soil. I can dig that. Obviously, a trained Army is ideal, National Guard, etc...but if Red Dawn happens, I can assure you that us liberals will be with you in the mountains with OUR AR-15s yelling WOLVERINES!
Here is another fun fact about liberals...or one in particular, I won't kill an animal for sport, but I will do a drive by on a tree and have a BLAST doing it. So much for the tree hugger claim huh?
Beta, I appreciate your comments. The final point of my hub was the irony that all our rights, even the right to keep and bear arms as well as the right to complain about it, was fought for and won by the successful use of a gun.
Am I surprised you support the right to keep and bear arms, no. But, locally, yes, there are people trying to take away my right to legally carry a firearm. I'll always fight to keep that from happening.
Here's a fun fact about this Conservative, I've never killed anything I didn't eat and use the skin in some way. Maybe even some of the bones and antlers.
Again, thanks for the comments. It's nice to know you'll have my back if we get invaded. I remember when some Tennesseans had some Texans' backs when they were invaded.
A side note - your comments were posted twice. I deleted one.
Beta, I don't know what the laws are in Texas but in Tennessee there is no registering of guns and that's as it should be. We do have to fill out a background check form that is then sent to the state and approved BEFORE any gun can be purchased. This same requirements apply to guns purchased from dealers at gun shows. It does not apply for a sales between two individuals.
As for a felon buying a gun, they'll get them anyway they can so required registration for them makes no difference.
I, as well, am not surprised by ONE (or two) liberals supporting the second ammendment... or at least no more surprised than some liberals might be to learn that this particular "conservative" (or more aptly put, "libertarian") is a pro-choice, pro-gay rights, atheist. Though I think it would be fair to say, MOST liberals are, uhm... not so much... into the second amendment.
Now, as far as Mr. Obama... pro-gun? I think not. Longhunter, or anyone else who'd like to know, we've discussed the rediculous price of ammunition, but never really got into the WHY in terms of it's skyrocketing price. Did bat-sh!t all the sudden get more expensive? Or charcoal? I don't think so, Tim.
Why? Three simple reasons:
1) Because it's HAZMAT designation was reclassified to a more expensive "label", making it more expensive to ship, thus more expensive to purchase. My dad is an avid hunter, as well as a driver for a "major" trucking company in the Midwest, and he had tried to warn me about this before it took effect. Wish I had listened, as I'd have more then 100 rounds "stockpiled" right now.
2) The "O" administration implemented a policy preventing the millions of rounds of spent brass the military generates every month from being sold off to be reloaded and resold as "practice ammo". A practice that's been in effect for decades and not only brought IN money for the military, but also kept the price of ammo for "regular joe-schmoe" at a reasonable level.
3) It's definitly fair to say a lot of people "freaked out" when Obama, a KNOWN anti-gun politician, got elected. Because of that, they started hoarding ammo, which, to some degree, caused a shortage, thus driving the price up. But, that was only a small portion of the problem.
Bottom line, regardless of whatever "pro-second amendment" laws or legislation Obama might tout these days, he's at least smart enough to know a gun is nothing more than a cool looking paper weight without ammo, so, in an effort to "avert" right-wing scrutiny, he went after the ammo, instead. Smart move on his part, I'll give him credit for that!
For whatever it's worth, I do agree, or at least, don't DISagree with Texasbeta, in saying that all legally purchased firearms should be registered (provided that "registration" process isn't used to unduly delay, complicate, or over tax/price a legal purchase of a firearm). I don't, nor do I believe anyone else who legitimately supports the second amendment, have any intention of ever using my firearms for a purpose where their "tracibility" to me would be an issue.
My biggest problem with the registration of guns is that the government would then know where to go to take them. I don't trust the government, Democrat or Republican, enough to give them that information.
"My biggest problem with the registration of guns is that the government would then know where to go to take them. I don't trust the government, Democrat or Republican, enough to give them that information."
My man, it took 6 days to get water to the Superdome. That is in the middle of our own country! They are never taking your guns, whether or not they can trace them or not...just like they aren't evicting illegals because a country that can't figure out how to get water to the freaking Superdome, isn't doing anything as logistically challenging as rounding up everyone's guns.
The Emperor of Japan said that nobody would ever invade the United States because everyone has an arsenal in their basement. We might be the only country on the planet, aside from maybe Mexico now unfortunately, who if invaded...might be more difficult of a fight than with our actual military. Nobody is ever going to make that void. Could you imagine if the National Guard showed up to take away the guns in Dallas/Ft Worth? Guys, we wouldn't have a National Guard anymore, and everyone would make sure to complete the job before the Cowboys game started at noon.
Beta, we both know the government couldn't find it's own butt with both hands and a map but I see no reason to give them even the slightest advantage by registering my guns, that's state or federal.
Thanks for the comments.
Good job, well said, and I agree. I dislike having my rights taken away even when I choose to not take advantage of them. I could say much more, but I prefer not to. ;)
Pam,
Most articles on the Second Amendment and Guns Rights are written by men. I'd like to read about the woman's point of view. Perhaps you're just the woman to write that article. Think about it. I look forward to reading it.
Thanks for the comments.
I like the way you broke it down. It quite clear on it's intent. Common sense is slipping away from this country. Thanks for this hub. I am 100% right there with you.
CMerritt, you're right. Common sense is slipping away. It all started with the beginning of political correctness. Our country's fore fathers would look on with disgust and amazement then start applying boot to ass if they could see what this country has become.
With the shootings in Tucson, we once again have a knee jerk reaction from the anti-gunners and Left to take away our guns. They never want to address the real problems. Typical Leftist tactics.
Thanks for the comments.
Excellent article,I too am gun owner, and I find myself constantly defending my right to keep and bear arms. This latest indecent in Tucson only fanned the constantly smoldering embers of the extreme left.
Though I do believe that arms control is in the minds of many politicians, I do not believe that they will ever have any success in taking the right to keep and bear arms away.
However a cleaver lawyer knows that there is always more than one way to skin a cat. There are many other avenues that can be taken that would effectively limit that amount of effective arms that exist in the world of the average citizen.
There is no way I am going to disclose my thoughts on this subject, but be assured that if I have though if it so have others.
I love your screen name, Longhunter. Not many people know what that means but I too am from middle Tennessee as well as a proud decedent of the Longhunters.
Keep up the great work.
Sterling, thanks for the comments. I agree with your comments on the Second Amendment. They'll get my guns when they pry them from my cold, dead hands, to quote Mr. Heston.
I've looked up Indian Mound. I've heard of it but wasn't sure where it was. Just east of Dover, where my in-laws own a cabin on the lake. Looks like a nice quiet place to live.
Again, thanks for the comments.
A person owning a firearm should be registered, and receive a basic education and understanding to care for such.
Every single firearm I've fired for the Army we would attend a familiarization class before we even hit the range. It included everything from safety to basic maintenance, I see nothing wrong with this.
In terms of registration, I see no problem with that either. I think if you remove registration from the process, it makes it a lot easier for those who shouldn't own weapons to own them.
And yes, I know criminal gangs have them already. But I think the price difference accounts for that. Cost of a Bushmaster AR15 (last I checked) was 1200 marked, a similar weapon with no serial or weapon fingerprint? 5k.
First and foremost, I want to thank you for your service to this great country.
On registration of firearms, I'll have to respectfully disagree with you as I don't believe that should be done. Only legally-owned guns would be the ones registered and I simply don't want the government knowing anything about the number and/or types of firearms I own. The criminals are going to get guns whether they're registered or not. The only people that would be effected by this would be law-abiding people like you and I. I have a permit to carry legally. That's all the government needs to know.
I see you live in GA. I have no idea what the laws are there for buying a gun but here in TN you must fill out a form that is then sent to the Department of Safety and a check is done to see if the information you provided is correct and you don't have a criminal record. It takes about an hour. Some would say that doesn't sound like much but it's far more than some states require.
Once you've purchased the gun, you can't carry it without a permit. This is still more than some states require. I carry and I do so legally. Why? Personal reasons I won't get into here except for one. The criminals don't care about the laws nor me or my family. I've seen too many times where people have been robbed, raped, or murdered, all because they had no way of protecting themselves. I don't intend on being a victim.
I appreciate your comments and, again, thank you for your service.
It always aggrevates me when people say that the National Guard is the "well-regulated militia." My home State of Illinois has probably trashed the 2nd Amendment more than most. Now, I live in New Mexico and getting my concealed carry permit was the first thing I did as a resident. Great hub.
Great Hub , thanks for the read:)
Jami, thanks for the comment and for stopping by. Glad you liked it.
I love this article. It came up as a suggested hub to read when I posted an essay I wrote. I wish I had seen this before hand. You do a wonderful job breaking down the true meaning of the 2nd Amendment.
Thank you for the comments, Traveler, and for the follow. I'm now one of yours as well. I look forward to reading your essay on the Second Amendment.
Nice article dude. I don't know if you've seen this but check it out; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YY5Rj4cQ50
I'm glad you like it, Onusonus. I appreciate the link as well. Penn and Teller make a lot of good points, especially the last one.
Thanks for the comments.
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shape_shifter Level 1 Commenter 17 months ago
I don't think they'll ever take it away with a frontal attack on the 2nd amendment, but watch out for knee-jerk fearbased policy that circumvents the entire constitution... The more holes they can poke in it during times of crisis, the weaker it becomes... Without staunch support by people like us, the sheep of this country will eventually give it away willingly for a guilded cage and a false sense of security. Great hub!