(JustPatriots.com) – Throughout history, one of the habits of monarchies and other forms of leadership was to keep their people unarmed. That way, they were no threat to the Crown or anyone else and could be easily overcome. It may be for this very reason that the Founding Fathers included the Second Amendment among the Bill of Rights, one of the most hotly contested amendments of all time.
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.
Grammar and Punctuation
One of the challenges of the Second Amendment comes from the grammar and punctuation. For instance, the fact that “State” is capitalized might suggest it doesn’t mean a state of being, but a territorial description. But by definition, a “Militia” is a civilian force, without training from the military. So a “militia” governed by the state is somewhat of an oxymoron. Then there’s the question of whether or not the comma after “State” indicates an “and” or is simply separating one dependent clause from an independent one.
The argument is neverending, so for now, the gun challenge is brought up in courts from multiple different angles that don’t quite remove guns from American hands altogether, but do whittle away at the details surrounding the amendment.
Guns vs. Accessories
In lieu of the various federal interpretations of the Second Amendment, some states have chosen to make their own state gun laws. The same is true of some cities. For example, Chicago is thought to have a ban on guns, but they really just have some of the most restrictive guidelines in the United States.
Because those who wish to fight the Second Amendment don’t have a clear path, they sometimes go after elements surrounding guns. Because while you may have a right to own a gun, the right to own specific accessories and ammunition isn’t written into the Constitution. And sometimes, rather than make a law limiting ammo, the powers that be simply buy it up, limiting public access and/or creating an uneven balance between supply and demand.
Based on the fact that some of the elements listed above have happened in recent years, some people have taken to making their own guns, gun parts, accessories, and ammunition. No matter what the case may be with ammo and accessories, owning a gun doesn’t always mean citizens can carry guns, or if they can, carry them in the open. While some states allow open carry from the start, others have strict requirements for ownership and use. This may include taking classes, undergoing background checks, and other guidelines.
Even age restrictions may apply so that the 16-year-old who hunts can have a rifle and an 18-year-old can join the military, neither may be able to own a handgun until they reach the age of 21. In short, it’s best not to make assumptions based on the Second Amendment, but to look to the local laws to learn the specifics concerning gun rights in any area.
Copyright 2020, JustPatriots.com
