The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution 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.”
Obviously the need for a state militia has been replaced by the National Guard and Coast Guard whereby trained military personnel are entrusted with the defense of this country against domestic enemies. Their weapons are tightly controlled and safeguarded.
The only two reasons for a citizen to own a firearm are for hunting or defense of the household from intruders. In either case, ownership of a handgun, shotgun or rifle is more than adequate to satisfy these purposes. There is absolutely no need for any U.S. civilian to own any weapon more powerful or sophisticated than these.
Accordingly, all handguns, shotguns and rifles must be licensed and registered to the degree necessary to match weapon to owner at the click of a computer key.
Furthermore, we must guarantee that the mentally ill do not gain access to them under any circumstances. Finally, if we had prohibited the purchase of more sophisticated weapons, several innocent victims would not have died or been harmed at shopping malls, college campuses, Congressional meetings, churches and now concerts.
We as a country must deal with this issue immediately lest our society fall back to the days when everyone carried a holster.
Contact Joe Bialek at [email protected].
James Smith • Apr 19, 2024 at 2:46 pm
The majority of gun violence in the United States occurs with illegally obtained weapons, and most of gun-related deaths are from handguns, not these “more sophisticated firearms.” But of course this article makes no mention of any important facts. Also ironic a KSU article would call the National Guard entrusted. The right to bear arms is to keep our own government in check as well. Look at oppressed countries across the world where gun ownership is illegal. What can their citizens do to free themselves? Literally nothing.
Now I do agree we’ve gotta do a better job keeping guns out the hands of the mentally ill. But removing the right to own a firearm from everyone else doesn’t fix that problem. People will always find a way to enact violence. Knife attacks, vehicle attacks, etc. Taking guns away doesn’t resolve the issue. And to reiterate an earlier point, this wouldn’t stop any of the gun violence from illegally owned weapons. Look at Canada for example. Gun violence is increasing there, and their gun laws are incredibly strict. Look at Australia. Assault weapons were banned in the 90s, but there has been no substantial change in gun violence in the country.
Robert F. Giardina • Apr 22, 2024 at 12:50 pm
Great points