Re: Help! Im doing a debate on gun control and need info.

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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.

Twenty-seven words. One sentence. But, oh the consternation
these words have caused throughout our country during the last
half-century. They are, of course, the words of the Second
amendment to the constitution of the United States of America,
one of ten amendments known as the Bill of Rights.

Originally, there were twelve amendments proposed at the
constitutional convention, but two were rejected, and the
remaining ten were adopted as a single body. They were,
actually, a compromise reached between men, such as James
Madison and Alexander Hamilton, who believed in a strong
centralized government and others like Patrick Henry, and Samuel
Bryan, who believed that state governments offered the best
protection for personal liberties.

The constitution is very specific about what it requires, and
allows the Federal Government to do. By its very
nature(specificity), it is a limiting document.

The Bill of Rights is a limiting document within that document
that provides additional protection of personal liberties.

It is interesting that, of the ten amendments, the 2nd is the
only one which has been consistently attacked, and had numerous
attempts to narrow its meaning and purpose, while the others
have been left unscathed or even expanded in their application.

For example:
The 1st amendment, having originally been devised to protect
political dissension, and protest has been expanded to allow
types of speech and behavior that throughout our country's
history have been believed to immoral, or at the very least
inappropriate.

The 4th, was constructed to protect citizens against
unreasonable searches and seizures of houses and effects, but
has been expanded to espouse a "right to privacy".

So, why all the hue and cry about the right of citizens to keep
and bear arms? It seems to stem from two sources;

Those who just have an innate fear of guns, and those who
believe that prohibiting gun ownership is a panacea to solving
violence and violent crimes. To this end they are constantly
demanding more and more gun control laws.

Just last year, the Institute for Legislative Action, a legal
arm of the National Rifle Association, reported that there are
currently more than 22,000 gun laws in the United States.
22,000! How many laws do they think it will take?
Unfortunately, gun control laws, like most others, are only as
affective as their obedience quotient. Criminals, by their very
nature, will willingly break gun laws to get guns to commit
crimes.

Since the 4th amendment has been expanded to include a right to
privacy, it seems to me that a citizen certainly has the right
to defend himself from any and all attacks against him, his
family, or his property.

The 2nd amendment is the most powerful of the amendments and is
the foundation on which the others rest.

After all, what good is a "right to free speech" if you cannot
defend yourself from those that wish to silence you? What use
is a so-called right to privacy if you cannot defend yourself
from those who would invade your home?

It is this amendment, and this amendment alone that allows
citizens to physically and forcibly protect themselves not only
from criminals, but also from the abuse or abrogation of the
other amendments, either by individuals, or Government.

Remember, if guns are outlawed, only outlaws, and Government
officials will have guns.

Having just broken free from an oppressive and abusive,
Government, it is patently obvious that the framers of the
constitution recognized the need for citizens to be able to rise
up against any government that was becoming too intrusive and
powerful, and to that end, they provided for the ability of
citizens to arm themselves as an important aspect of our basic
rights.

On 2/28/03, Amy wrote:
> i'm doing a debate on Gun control and i would like some
> informations. Gun Control: Would it help i'm against it
> please help thanks

Re: Help!!!! Im doing a debate on gun control and need info., 12/23/03, by dan dougherty.

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