Gun Rights & 2nd Amendment

Do we really have a "right to bear arms"?

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Thursday, October 5, 2017
Gun Rights & 2nd Amendment
10/5/2017

To Laramie Boomerang Letters to the Editor.

From Francis William Bessler
4500 Meadowlark Lane
Laramie, Wyoming 82070
307-742-7428

Hello, Letters to the Editor, Laramie Boomerang

Please submit the following when you can. OK?

Thanks!

Francis William Bessler
4500 Meadowlark Lane
Laramie, Wyoming 82070
307-742-7428


Title: GUN RIGHTS & 2ND AMENDMENT



In light of the recent massacre in Las Vegas, more than likely by a person who stood by his "2nd Amendment rights to bear arms," let me offer my two cents worth.

As I read the 2nd Amendment, I see an effort by early Americans in search of Independence from Britain to justify a "right to bear arms," but not for the purpose of one American assaulting another American for whatever reason, but for the purpose of each American having the right - and perhaps duty - to join an American National Militia - if needed.

Let me cite that Amendment: A well regulated Militia, being necessary for the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Let me repeat that first part - A well regulated Militia, being necessary for the security of a free State - that is what the 2nd Amendment is all about. It's about being free to bear arms to protect my nation, not myself or a loved one.

What does that have to do with the recent "Nevada Massacre"? Well, reasonable people who would have interpreted the 2nd Amendment for what it stated and not for what they wanted it to state would have long ago determined that any excuse for bearing arms outside of an intended "well regulated (national) militia" is not what the Constitution is all about.

Indeed, if we bear arms for any other purpose than to support a well regulated militia, we are doing that on our own - and not as a right institutionalized within our American Constitution; and maybe if we did that, we would soon find a way to outlaw guns for any other purpose than the support of a national army and for hunting. I do believe that if anyone kills another or others, they first fell in love with the gun or weapon that did it. In truth, as long as we love guns - or weapons of any kind - massacres will continue to happen. Or so, I Believe!