Preface
I'm not a Republican or a Democrat, but am a long-time gun owner. I'm not an attorney, but have studied the Constitution since 1956...mostly informally. "Studied" doesn't only mean I've read it over and over. I've researched many constitutional court cases, read dozens and dozens of Supreme Court opinions, and those of lower courts as well.
...................................................
"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."
2nd Amendment to the Constitution
..............................................
It seems to me that any reading of the above with a view toward common sense leads to the following conclusions.
1. The 2nd Amendment allows civilians to possess firearms in order to have a "well regulated Militia". [Our Founders were wary of having a large standing army during peacetime. They opted for a militia made up of everyday citizens/civilians, non-professional "soldiers".]
2. Apparently, Americans who oppose gun control have chosen to ignore the phrase, well regulated. So, too, have some Supreme Court Justices.
3. Back in the 1700's, "Arms" possessed by militia men for the possible defense & "security of a free State" amounted to pistols and single-shot rifles. Assault rifles, automatic weapons of any kind, hand-held rocket launchers, etc. did not exist. It defies common sense that anyone would think any modern day weapons of war should fall under the 2nd Amendment. Even if they did, those who had them would have to be well regulated to be in compliance with the Constitution.
......................................
Trump is correct when he states that the recent mass murders were undertaken by "mentally ill" people. Duh. Too bad he doesn't understand the effect of words such as "invasion", "invaders", etc. on those same people. Or, maybe he does. Too bad that Oligarchs like him don't see the connection between horrendous social ills (mass murders, opioid crisis, etc.) and the throwing under the bus of mental health treatment in the USA...which has been going on for decades. Too bad, indeed.
......................................
Sidebar
Not many, but some gun owners have formed their own "militias". They seem to believe that they're being patriotic, and are following the Constitution. Nope. The phrase well regulated in the 2nd Amendment does NOT mean self regulated. It means regulated by the Government. Hello.
..............................................
Not only my opinion. Be Well
