In light of recent events, I think we should visit the 2nd Amendment–an amendment that is more cited than any other one. What does it actually say? “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.” Seems clear enough doesn’t it? But lets hold on a bit. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights were written after the end of the Articles of Confederation. The Bill of Rights were added to ensure small states that their rights were protected against the larger wealthier states. In those days a militia was needed to protect communities from attack by criminal elements and Native American attacks. A wealthy and respected person in the community outfitted and armed men who were in charge of this needed protection. You remember the Minutemen from the Revolutionary War. Today they evolved onto our National Guard. This was not to include the people who call themselves militia today! This is not Bubba and his buddies dressed up in camo and brandishing their assault rifles as they demonstrated to intimidate Dr Amy Acton who was only doing her job of trying to save us from Covid-19. If these guys are so gung-ho, why don’t they join the army or marines and volunteer to go over to the middle east to actually protect us. Probably don’t want to do that where terrorists can shoot back.

We had a bill to outlaw assault weapons after a potential assassin tried to kill President Reagan and seriously wounded Brady. Hence the Brady Bill. During the ten year period of the bill outlawing assault weapons being in effect, assault weapon shooting fatalities were 70% less likely to occur. After the US Congress let the ban expire, mass shooting deaths increased 347%. Why didn’t Congress renew the bill? Simple! Our Congress gets $$ and support from the NRA and Congressmen and women would rather sacrifice our children so they can stay in their cushy jobs in government, I suppose it is too much for us to expect them to do the right thing.

WEhen a mass shooting happens, our politicians offer their thoughts and prayers. They wash their hands of things and go on doing nothing. Nearly all of the mass shootings in our country are done with assault weapons. They are for one purpose only. They are not used for hunting. A rabbit or pheasant shot with an assault weapon is totally destroyed. Assault weapons have one purpose; to kill people. I do not think the average person understands the damage they do when shooting a person. When the children were killed in Uvalde, DNA was used to identify some children–they were blown apart and two had their heads shot off. Noone needs an assault rifle. If you must have one, join the army. Donald Trump and supporters were shot by an assault weapon. Had the bullet that grazed his ear been 3 or 4 inches to the right, he would be dead.