Because English is my first language, I have to concede that the Second Amendment does indeed protect Americans' right to own guns, even though I often don't like the grisly fruit of that right.
But, y'know, just because something is constitutional doesn't mean that it is a good idea. Blacks being considered 3/5 of a person was once constitutional, too. So was a woman's ineligibility to vote.
I recognize fears of government tyranny, and the need many feel to be armed in order to protect their lives and families. Those aren't crazy ideas, and it doesn't advance the dialogue to paint them as such.
But I also recognize the heartbreak and waste caused by the far more common and far less noble uses of the very arms our constitution protects.
Take a deep breath, everyone. Maybe the best we can hope for is that, before everyone seizes on the latest mass shooting atrocity as an excuse to begin bleating the same arguments we always trot out on these occasions, is that we pause and admit this: it's complicated.
Like this post? Stumble or Tweet it (please)! and follow 50+ on Twitter and Facebook
3 comments:
Good topic for discussion.
I agree that it is complicated, but here's one aspect that's not: There should be no reason why anyone outside of law enforcement and the military should ever need to buy an assault rifle. Such weapons should not be manufactured and sold to the general public. And for those few collectors out there, they should be willing to collect something else, knowing that their hobby is indirectly responsible for people getting killed.
Don't forget, and this is very important, the Bill of Rights was enacted as protections for the people against eh government itself. The framers knew that a government will always seek to more firmly establish minute and autocratic control and so the right to bear arms is one of the protections against unlawful arrest, search, and seizure. If you have a warrant, come on in, if not, you are breaking and entering and ought be be shot, even if you have a government uniform on.
Agree with Bill. I'm far more afraid of all the folks running around with handguns and no training in their use than I am of our inefficient, stumbling, bumbling government. The gov't has lots of ways to make our lives miserable other than bursting through the door with guns blazing. I'm in Canada now and I feel a lot safer.
Post a Comment