Hey Everyone!!
Just a quick post today with something I think is worth considering. :-)
The Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America: "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."
So, a couple quick points. First, you'll notice that bit about a "well-regulated Militia?" I know gun advocates love to ignore that part, but it's in there for a reason. There's nothing indicating that the Founding Fathers intended that anyone, anywhere, at any time, for any reason - including mowing down hundreds of people at a musical concert - should be able to get a gun. I know that's how some people like to read the Second Amendment, but that's not actually what it says.
But we'll leave that bit about the Militia alone for a moment, just for the sake of argument, and instead look at the word "arms." Arms can mean guns. But it can also mean knives, clubs, cannons, missiles, biological agents, nukes, etc. The Second Amendment doesn't actually say anything about guns, in particular. That's just how some people choose to read it.
So, for those reading this who object to the idea of gun control laws because they "violate the Second Amendment" - debatable on many levels, but I digress - ask yourselves if you think it's okay for anyone to buy a nuclear bomb or weaponized smallpox virus. If the answer is no, then you already agree there are limits on what "arms" civilians have a "right to bear." The rest is just negotiation on where the line should be drawn.
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