General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forumswhat would the second amendment say if it reflected today's laws?
I don't mean "what do you want it to say". I mean, if it were written today, without the word militia (for one thing) that causes so many arguments, what would it say?
To reflect current laws, I think you would just keep the last half and lose a comma.
"The right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed."
Maybe you could clarify "bear" to clear up the open/concealed carry argument?
Maybe you could clarify arms so it is understood that we are talking about hand weapons, not nukes and loaded tanks?
lapfog_1
(29,219 posts)I'm good with removing the absolute right... and leave it to a law that can be passed and amended by Congress to deal with changing technology and what is and is not allowed.
For example:
Large magazines (more than 5)... not allowed.
Single shot bolt action rifles... allowed.
and so forth.
might even create an agency to deal with making recommendations... oh wait... we have one.
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)the right to kill shall not be infringed
jmg257
(11,996 posts)a huge standing Army and kick-ass Navy are...so no need for militias, no need for the Congress to have powers related to arming the people/militias, and so no need for the 2nd.
US Code gives the President power to call forth the Armed Forces to serve the role the militias were supposed to.
hunter
(38,325 posts)It's most often been used as a tool of oppression.
Call a few fools a militia and they'll shoot black people, Indians, striking workers, anyone...
Just strike it out.
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.
It will happen eventually, if the U.S.A. survives as a nation, and not an idiocracy.
TeddyR
(2,493 posts)I'm not sure you've really thought through this statement.
hunter
(38,325 posts)The Fox News version of U.S. History is bullshit.
Slave owners were very well motivated to keep guns.
So were factory and mine owners who abused workers. So were those desiring Indian lands.
TeddyR
(2,493 posts)The folks seizing Indian lands were the US government. Not sure about factory/mine owners but don't necessarily disagree. I was thinking more about the last 50 years though - who in the last 50 years is using the Second Amendment for oppression?
hunter
(38,325 posts)A nasty asshole shooting an unarmed kid on the street?
It goes on and on and on...
Every gun fetishist is a potential terrorist, suicide, or tragic accident waiting to happen.
TeddyR
(2,493 posts)I mean, that seems to be a pretty vague term. Anyone who owns a gun, anyone who supports the Second Amendment, anyone who disagrees with you on this issue? I agree that we should ban felons from owning guns and voting, but those folks have been convicted of a crime.
Alex4Martinez
(2,198 posts)CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 1 DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
SECTION 1. All people are by nature free and independent and have
inalienable rights. Among these are enjoying and defending life and
liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and pursuing
and obtaining safety, happiness, and privacy.
IMO, this is reasonable language.
With proper regulation, and provided the person has not surrendered said rights through trial and conviction of crimes or by otherwise being found unfit to be allowed access to self defense devices, the right to possess arms for the specific uses above shall not be infringed.
scscholar
(2,902 posts)It can be reinterpreted many different ways, as needed.
TeddyR
(2,493 posts)Maine: Every citizen has a right to keep and bear arms and this right shall never be questioned.
New Hampshire: All persons have the right to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves, their families, their property and the state.
One_Life_To_Give
(6,036 posts)Among the natural Rights of theColonistsCitizens are these: First, a Right to Life; secondly, to Liberty;
thirdly, to Property; together with the Right to support and defend them in the best Manner they can.