Second Amendment suits U.S. citizens
By Vinny Napolitano
Posted: 3/5/08, 12:22 AM EST Section: Opinion
The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution clearly states "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed." Though U.S. citizens disagree on a number of issues, the American people are united behind this amendment, reinforcing the right of an individual to own a gun.
A recent USA Today/Gallup poll found that 73 percent of adults believe the Second Amendment guarantees an "individual right" to own a gun, with only 20 percent believing it supports gun ownership as a right reserved for "state militias."
While one can attempt to argue that the starting sentence of the Second Amendment ("A well regulated militia…") indicates against individual gun ownership, they must then be prepared to explain who "the people" described elsewhere are. "The people" mentioned in the First, Fourth, Ninth and 10th Amendments in the Bill of Rights, are these "people" different from "the people" mentioned in the Second Amendment?
It cannot be feasibly argued that in one case this phrase means the entire citizenry of the United States, while in another it applies only to the members of state militias - it simply does not make sense.
Advocates of gun control often point to shootings, such as Virginia Tech, as reason enough to push for tougher gun control laws. But does the data match up with their logic?
School violence only involved guns in 4 percent of all incidents, as reported by the Department of Education. In almost every single one that actually did involve a gun, the gun was acquired by illegal means. Thus, the argument that tougher laws on citizens, gun shows and gun selling businesses will lead to less gun crime in schools does not add-up. As it is, very few even do involve guns and in the ones that do, it isn't the legal guns you need to worry about.
If anything, gun ownership has led to an overall decrease in criminal activity where gun laws are looser. Forty-four states have state constitutions in which the right to keep and bear arms are protected; as reported by the FBI, states with the least gun control also have the lowest rates of violent crime. In addition, the FBI found that crime rates and trends have gone up since certain states (such as New York and New Jersey) have implemented "waiting periods" for guns and restricting the types of guns that normal citizens may possess.
A recent USA Today/Gallup poll found that 73 percent of adults believe the Second Amendment guarantees an "individual right" to own a gun, with only 20 percent believing it supports gun ownership as a right reserved for "state militias."
While one can attempt to argue that the starting sentence of the Second Amendment ("A well regulated militia…") indicates against individual gun ownership, they must then be prepared to explain who "the people" described elsewhere are. "The people" mentioned in the First, Fourth, Ninth and 10th Amendments in the Bill of Rights, are these "people" different from "the people" mentioned in the Second Amendment?
It cannot be feasibly argued that in one case this phrase means the entire citizenry of the United States, while in another it applies only to the members of state militias - it simply does not make sense.
Advocates of gun control often point to shootings, such as Virginia Tech, as reason enough to push for tougher gun control laws. But does the data match up with their logic?
School violence only involved guns in 4 percent of all incidents, as reported by the Department of Education. In almost every single one that actually did involve a gun, the gun was acquired by illegal means. Thus, the argument that tougher laws on citizens, gun shows and gun selling businesses will lead to less gun crime in schools does not add-up. As it is, very few even do involve guns and in the ones that do, it isn't the legal guns you need to worry about.
If anything, gun ownership has led to an overall decrease in criminal activity where gun laws are looser. Forty-four states have state constitutions in which the right to keep and bear arms are protected; as reported by the FBI, states with the least gun control also have the lowest rates of violent crime. In addition, the FBI found that crime rates and trends have gone up since certain states (such as New York and New Jersey) have implemented "waiting periods" for guns and restricting the types of guns that normal citizens may possess.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 36
Will S.
posted 3/05/08 @ 11:35 AM EST
Excellent argument on your behalf. It is refreshing when a gun-owner like myself is reminded that a vast majority of individuals in this great land support the right to keep and bear arms. (Continued…)
Cassandra McPhee
posted 3/05/08 @ 11:50 AM EST
Thanks for speaking truth!!!
The American people are able to prevent crimes throughout the country because of our 2nd amendment rights! People who oppose gun control are in a less-than-1/4 minority because they just don't understand, and probably grew up brainwashed by the blue state rhetoric. (Continued…)
Michelle Kern
posted 3/05/08 @ 12:13 PM EST
I had to finally comment though I avoided it in the past.
THANK YOU for this column. To bravely stand as a college student for the rights of American gun owners is not something many could do. (Continued…)
Fitasc
posted 3/05/08 @ 12:25 PM EST
Thanks for a great truthfull article, I saw a online poll by USA today in Nov. 2007 it asked "does the second amendment give individuals the right to bear arms"? It was 97% YES. (Continued…)
Carmen Cagnotti
posted 3/05/08 @ 3:08 PM EST
About 30 years ago, when my family lived in a more rural area of upstate, my husband's shotgun stopped two men from robbing us in the dead of night. Before then, I yelled at him to get rid of it. (Continued…)
Nina Klein
posted 3/05/08 @ 3:35 PM EST
The first thing all dictators do is take the guns out of the hands of the people.
Hitler did it, Stalin did it, Castro did it, Kim did it. A people without their right of defense is a people who are easily put down by any government. (Continued…)
Jieni Wang
posted 3/05/08 @ 5:01 PM EST
I don't understand the logic of people who want to take away the guns from those who follow law. Isn't law supposed to be stopping the law BREAKERS? Work on getting illegal guns off the street before you take gun away from people like my father and husband. (Continued…)
peter
posted 3/05/08 @ 8:22 PM EST
Another great article...I cant wait till Wed comes to read your column. Your opposing opinion editor did not do a good job on his side, as I agree with Will S. (Continued…)
Eva Valez
posted 3/05/08 @ 8:30 PM EST
Again I say it proudly: VIVA VINNY!
I do hope you bring your common sense beliefs to either political writing or office someday! We need more like you!!!
Lauren Braunstein
posted 3/05/08 @ 8:56 PM EST
Great point of view! I am an NRA member and have been since I was 15 years old. The memories of hunting with my dad are some of the best in my life! If the Dems get their gun-grabbing way, kids will never get to know they once had the right to own a gun. (Continued…)
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