Am I depraved because I support the second Amendment?

Question

I don't want to come across as hawkish. I want to be sensitive and tactful with this question. I have to admit that there are many people who are traumatized by crimes committed with guns, and I don't want to offend anyone. I hope that you do not assume that I am some right wing radical who thinks that we all ought to hand out machine guns to kindergartners. I believe that we ought to urge people to be responsible gun owners. We should always, always, always treat a gun as if it were loaded. There are certain rules that we should abide by when handling guns.

I have never hunted, but I grew up shooting guns as a hobby. It is possible that some people who are opposed to guns or are afraid of them may have a change of heart if they have the opportunity to handle a gun in a safe environment, with an expert. Perhaps education is one key. I suppose that I like guns because I am somewhat familiar with them. It is actually quite understandable that some people might be afraid of firearms if they have never had any exposure to them, or if the exposure that they have experienced has been negative.

I don't ever want to become a radical. I want to preserve our freedoms in America, and that is one reason why I support the second Amendment. I am not a current member of the NRA (but I am an erstwhile member). I have always enjoyed target practicing, because it takes practice, patience, and skill. It's almost an art form. As long as people are responsible with guns and do not act recklessly, I don't have a problem with them.

If you have ever had a terrible experience involving guns, I am sorry that it happened to you. I can understand completely if you may believe that we need gun control. Perhaps there is an element of truth there. For example, just about anyone can buy guns at gun shows, and that may be putting the public in danger if radical people buy weapons. Perhaps there needs to be boundaries and laws to limit access of weapons by violent criminals.

So would you characterize me as a right wing extremist? I hope that this is not the impression I have given. I like guns because I enjoy target practicing. I know that many people love to hunt animals, and that's fine too. Of course, I intensely oppose criminal activity involving guns. So based upon what I have remarked here, would you characterize me as a crackpot gun wielding maniac? Please tell me your honest, direct opinion. Do you support the second Amendment? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Not at all. The primary reason for the Second Amendment is to allow citizens the means to self-defense, both individually and collectively, when militias are needed to defend freedom and human rights against an enemy.



Banning guns would deny us the agency for self-defense, thus undermining a key right needed to protect freedom.



When places like Virginia Tech have prevented concealed carry, they leave an area unguarded against criminals, terrorists, and madmen. The result is a massacre that could be prevented by allowing people to be armed.



The best source of information on why guns save lives is More Guns, Less Crime, by John Lott.



Cheers,

Bruce

Answer 2

You support the second amendment like most other americans, and you do not understand the second amendment like just about all americans.



People have been dupped. The right has spent decades trying to make the second amendment the right to carry arms, but that has never, ever existed.



The evidence is there if you want it.



The right to keep arms is the right to own arms so the militia has a ready supply of weapons.



The right to bear arms is the right to be in the militia so the militia has a ready supply of personnel.



There is a reason the 2A starts with "A well regulated militia", the amendment is about the militia. It does not give individuals anything, it prevents the US federal govt taking away from individuals the ability to own weapons and be in the militia.



George Washington said it, the congress that passed the second amendment said it, even the US supreme court has said that, for example, carry and conceal is not protected by the second amendment, nor is marching around with weapons in a pretend militia.



But people have alterior motives and want to change the constitution without going through the proper channels!

Answer 3

Actually, those who DON'T support the Second Amendment are the depraved ones, who want to see the 10+ per 100,000 murder rates we had, which lead to such changes as the Gun Owners' Protection Act and the Florida Concealed Cary Law. Now that it is half of what it was, wanting more deaths is the only reason I can see to wanting it changed back to those deadly days when blood was running in the street.



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There are those who claim that the Second is only for those in the militia, because it says that the militia is to be regulated. Nowhere does it say that arms or the people are to be regulated. In fact Tench Coxe, one of the Founders responsible for the Second Amendment stated that the Second is to be the tool used to regulate the military. John Smilie also stated that the Second is to protect the rights of individuals, to prevent a national select militia (National Guard) from being used as an excuse to disarm the people.



Those who don't support the Second are pretending to by claiming it is interpreted wrongly



But people have ulterior motives and want to change the constitution without going through the proper channels!

Answer 4

The second amendment gives individuals the right to keep and bear arms. As long as you are legally purchasing and safely keeping and using your guns, I have no problem with you owning them. I personally have no use or desire to own a firearm but do not feel like I have the right to tell others that the do not need them either. It is everyone's personal decision whether or not the keep a gun in their home.

Answer 5

The supreme court just ruled the 2nd is applicable to private gun ownership, and at the same time that nothing in the 2nd prevented from there being rules and regulations about guns, models, and purchases.

Answer 6

I understand the Second Amendment, and I respect it. I, being a "dove," don't like weapons, and will never be in support of guns, but I understand individuals' rights to own guns, and I respect such rights.

Answer 7

No you would not be considered a right-wing extremist.

Right-wing extremists would no doubt consider you a lib socialist though thinking about responsible gun ownership and all.



BTW gun control is what forensic scientists use to convict criminals and prove they shot a gun and who they shot it at.

Without gun control, criminals would not be able to be jailed without an eye-witness.

Answer 8

You are a responsible citizen cognizant of the importance of a basic civil right.

You neglect to mention, maybe didn't know, that guns in civilian hands,

have been proven, time and again, to solve far more problems than they create.

Please stop appologizing for a rational position.

Answer 9

Even the US supreme Court doesn't agree with the lady that says, The Second Amendment does not apply to citizens"! Please lady, if you do not respect the Constitution at least place caps on your "second amendment" that is very disrespectful. Of course I never put "obama" or "pelosi" ETC. in caps!

Answer 10

your whats called an "AMERICAN" a dying breed these days, most people are either russians,chinese, or koreans. your unique.



And all you gun control activists if you dont like the second amemdnent move somewhere else that has gun control then.

Answer 11

No, just overly cautious.

Answer 12

no.

It is your right.

Answer 13

no