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The Founding Fathers Knew What They Were Talking About |
As April approaches, the usual loonies come out of obscurity to feebly attempt the condemnation of the Second Amendment. They seek to strip the American people of one of their fundamental rights, imposing exorbitant gun control laws that aim to restrict firearms. Their accusations are, at best, childish and poorly founded complaints. Yet the silent majority seems unable to voice concern for encroachments on their basic rights, so I have taken it upon myself to prove once and for all the validity and adaptability of the Second Amendment in modern life.
The Second Amendment clearly states, “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.” It is unfortunate that some do not believe that this amendment is valid in current times for a few easily countered points:
Point: The 2nd Amendment is a two hundred year old law that no longer applies.
Counter Point: So are several other amendments, including the 1st. Perhaps I should not be allowed to write these words, since the First Amendment is a two hundred year-old law and therefore must be obsolete. Perhaps you should not be allowed to voice your discontent at my lunatic writings. And what of the Thirteenth through Fifteenth Amendments? They are nearing 150 years old. Maybe we should look into repealing these as well! And what old geezer still thinks “thou shalt not kill” applies today? That law is so old it has been defunct for millennia. The point is, age does not define the legality or adaptability of a law.
Point: The English do not allow firearms, and they get along fine.
Counter Point: So what? There are still illicit weapons and still violent crimes in England. When all Americans have tea and crumpets at four o’clock in the afternoon and wear monocles, perhaps then I will consider adopting the English plan.
Point: Can’t we all just get along?
Counter Point: No
Point: The Second Amendment calls for a militia that is no longer necessary due to police and National Guard protection.
Counter Point: To truly understand the Second Amendment, one must look carefully at the words. The American Heritage Dictionary defines a militia as “an army composed of ordinary citizens rather than professional soldiers, on call for service in an emergency.” Now it is time for a hypothetical situation: let us assume a situation similar to the Los Angeles Riots. The police and National Guard prove useless to stop the chaos. Now, observe a man who takes up his weapon to fend off the oncoming hordes. Is he not acting in the capacity of a militia? He is a civilian; he is acting for his own security and for the security of the state by fighting the insurrectionists; and he is an army, if only an army of one.
Thus a militia can still be necessary in modern times, therefore validating the Second Amendment. One of the most sacred constitutional amendments from two hundred years ago is still applicable today. Q.E.D.