I'm no constitutional expert (obviously), but I'm starting to take the tack that the entirety of the 2nd amendment does not guarantee individuals the right to bear arms; taking into account that the standing army of the United States at the ratifying of the amendment was a "well-regulated militia," and we no longer use civilian militias as our national defense, I don't see why the 2nd amendment should apply any longer.
Now, obviously the U.S. Supreme Court disagees, having affirmed that the amendment does in fact extend to individual firearms ownership. I think I'm in disagreement with that interpretation.
Regardless, I think more and better gun control is sorely needed. I do not begrudge any responsible gun owner, but I'm fully in support of Vice President Biden's proposals.
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What scares me is the batshit insane response of the Far Right to the mere prospect that they might not be allowed to own a gun that could have been used in the next school shooting.
I'm no conspiracy theorist, but the Far Right does not understand how close they seem to be taking us to an arms race of them-vs.-society.
Gun nuts, just...just go to your fucking bunker already and stay there. Oh, and don't you dare take anyone except other white men with you. No kids or women allowed, because god knows what you'd do to them.
Focusing on mental health issues is the way to combat school shootings... not restricting the rights the law-abiding citizens that make up 99.997% of all firearms owners in the United States.
I will say, though, that I can accept that most gun owners are responsible people, and I don't advocate "coming to get yer guns" as a reform, but I also do not trust any of my neighbors with an AK-47.
Edited at 2013-01-22 07:03 pm (UTC)
Are you familiar with the concept of social contracts?
Please consider this graphic: https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hpho
Source for the data is here: http://americangunfacts.com/
But today, in the 21st century, it's simply not so. We have a standing army, which is well equipped with weapons (if not defenses).
This lie was disproven the SAME WEEK it was spoken in yet another school shooting, when an unarmed teacher talked down the shooter from attacking anyone else. He surrendered peacefully, and she was unhurt.