Gun Control

Ah yes, the Second Amendment to the Bill of Rights. The very fact that we have a bill laying out our rights is a miracle in an of itself, and should not be taken lightly. I practice my rights on a daily basis, especially the first two. Our Founding Fathers incorporated the Second Amendment for a very good reason... To arm the populace and keep them armed. They believe that a citizen possessing firearms helped insure a free society.

Looking back on those troubled times that our nation was being formed, it seemed like a natural extension to what made a person free. Aside from the obvious benefits of possessing weapons in that day, such as defense against bears and hostile natives. Their ultimate purpose was to guarantee if your average tyrant came along, the citizenry would be well equipped to defend their rights.

Many of the arguments today against owning guns is that the Founding Fathers never foresaw the advent of assault rifles and sub machine guns. Very strong argument, until you actually read the Second Amendment.

Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights
"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."

No where does it say what type of arms the people can bear. If someone were so inclined, it would mean any type of arms would be acceptable. Most don't realize that weaponry of that day did have very menacing lethality. A revolutionary era cannon loaded with grape shot had the potential to kill many at once. So does that mean anybody can own his or her very own M198 howitzer? I think the general consensus is 'gun ownership with in reason'. Most can come to terms with the logic that while assault rifles can be deadly, a fully armed jet fighter should not be in the hands of civilians.

I am a firm believer in the Second Amendment. An armed populace is essential to thwarting the tyrants of the world, whether they be at home or abroad. Most may not agree, and have every right to do so. Says right there in that First Amendment that you can.