The Second 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.”
Let me begin with the following disclosure, I am not a gun guy, never have been, never will be. Let me also offer this additional disclosure, when I was younger I shot and killed squirrels, rabbits, doves, beer cans, bottles and my big toe with a BB gun once. I am not proud of this fact nor are these moments’ fond childhood memories for me. I have never had a fascination with guns or pistols, I have never felt more powerful with a gun in my hand, I have never felt safer or more secure with a gun nearby. These are my simple disclosures, my points of view.
Like any document or statement (and for me this also includes the Bible but that is a topic for another post so don’t pile on just yet) the interpretation and truth of said document or statement is always in the eyes of the beholder. As I read it, this simple sentence, written 200 years ago at a time when having a weapon meant putting meat on the table and protecting your family from “savages” and redcoats, offers one simple right and privilege, not multiple rights and privileges. Additionally this right and privilege is tied to one potential need, “A well regulated militia” for “the security of a free state”.
I don’t want to take your guns or “pry them from your cold, dead hands”. Keep them, shoot the deer, ducks and turkeys scampering through the forest if that’s what makes you happy. But why does anyone need a collection of AK-47 type assault weapons? Why would anyone need a collection of 9 mm pistols? Why can’t we wait a month or two before we are able to purchase a weapon? How is having to wait an infringement on our rights? If buying a weapon is an impulse purchase for someone I would certainly want a waiting period to confirm that impulse is not violent (Dylann Roof).
I am tired of people being killed in gun violence. I am tired of people killing each other. I am tired of seeing parents cry on television because their child was killed by a deranged person with a gun. I am tired of the men and women in uniform who serve to protect our country and communities being killed. Taking guns away may not be the solution but having more guns simply isn’t the answer either.
Ends and Beginnings 
Couldn’t agree more with you. Those who have carried out horrendous killings in your great country can hardly be described as a ” well regulated militia “. It’s incredible to me that citizens can be allowed have serious assault weapons as a matter of course. Here in Ireland it’s terrorists and criminals who unfortunately have access to such.
The original inhabitants of the Americas were far from being savages as I’m sure you know !
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I know, savages is a harsh description but I use it in context of the time period. Thank you for reading and taking the time to share your thoughts.
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I agree with you 100%. I have no beef with the people who like hunting or marksmanship, who have common sense and training and who want a gun or two. But then, they are not usually the ones who rant the most about the Second Amendment. The sane, quiet, normal people who happen to like hunting can see that having a few regulations – background checks, waiting period, etc. – does NOT equal “taking our guns away.”
But the crazies, not the moderates, are always the ones who get the attention,
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Yup, we are on the same page. Thank you for reading.
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Yes, I agree also. Since you have to wait for a new car or even a new sofa (here in the Netherlands and Germany), it’s just ridiculous one can buy a (or even several) gun at impulse.
At the same time have weapons legalized and therefor available for the ‘common people’ doesn’t have to be a bad thing. I think of the drugs legalization in the Netherlands in comparison. Get it out of the criminal industry and more controlled.
Maybe also a mandatory course how to correctly use a weapon and when it’s allowed and when not. For instance, over here you are only allowed to hunt during a few months a year and specific animals.
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