The Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
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.
Clause 1 – A well regulated militia
This clause introduces the right for the existence of well regulated militias. It is hard to argue against the words “well regulated” means anything other than subject to laws and regulations. It clearly also means that militias that are formed outside of the laws and regulations created for militias are not covered by this amendment.
Clause 2 – being necessary to the security of a free state
This clarifies who is responsible for creating the militia and why. The states will create these militias, not the federal government. The reason was to allow states to keep their citizens safe. The underlying reason for that was that post revolutionary America was in turmoil, with numerous rebellions popping up all across the country. The Articles of Confederation did not provide for state militias, and so the federal government was responsible for putting down the rebellions. Additionally, in the post war chaos many slaves in the South were escaping to the North. A state level militia would allow states to enforce their slavery laws.
Clause 3 – the right of the people to keep and bear arms
Here we have the first clause of this amendment that provides the right to own and carry weapons. If it had been stated first then it would not subject to the limitations in the first two clauses. The people’s right to keep and also bear arms is clearly limited by the first 2 clauses. If it was an unlimited right then it would stand as either it’s own amendment or as part of the 2nd amendment as a separate sentence. Named here the clause can only mean that this right is restricted to members of the state’s militia, regulated by the state for the purpose of securing the safety of their fellow citizens.
Clause 4 – shall not be infringed
The kicker, the clause most used to emphasize that the government is powerless to regulate the ownership of weapons. But, by looking at the entire amendment, which is one sentence consisting of four clauses, each clarifying the previous clause. But what the entire sentence means is that State regulated militias manned by citizen/soldiers shall be allowed to carry weapons, and the federal government cannot outlaw state regulated militias.
Its time for the US to move into the 21st century and restrict with sensible legislation that reduces the number of guns owned. If you participated in the orgy of thoughts and prayers for the kids and teachers who died the other day, then remember that your prayers are only as good as your actions. If you don’t act, then your prayers are not answered.
