2nd Amendment

1 Oct 2019 -

About a year ago, at one of my kids' book fairs I happened to pick up a copy of "No Fear the U. S. Constitution and other Important American Documents. " I read it immediately underling certain text that I found interesting. It's really a wonderful book. It has the original text of the Constitution on the left side of the book and a modern translation of that text on the right side of the book. It fits perfectly in my handbag and I read it whenever the opportunity presents itself (any one of the many office waiting rooms).

It only took a couple of doc appointments to finish the book. Here is one of the facts I found interesting.

You know that second amendment about guns....here's exactly what it says:

First the original text:

Amendment II

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.

.....that's it.

Here's the translation:

Amendment 2. The Right to Bear Arms (1791)

The people have the right to have weapons because a strong militia is needed to protect a free country.

Side Note: The courts have always believed this amendment uphold's states' right to arm militias. Many conservatives, however, believe it upholds individuals' right to own guns.

I'm flabbergasted....I have no idea how that single tiny little sentence...it's sooo small...here it is again -

The people have the right to have weapons because a strong militia is needed to protect a free country...

..morphed into.....

since I'm an american citizen i have the right to purchase and carry a firearm.

I personally think that, that is a far reach.

It's convoluted.