A Place for Common Sense: Gun Control

At Merry Mount, we practice gun control.  We own guns and we make sure that the guns are under our control.

Gun violence is out of control in the United States.  Mass shootings have become an almost daily occurrence.

I propose a common sense solution to the problem.  Here are the “bullet” points (bad choice of word):

•   Write an amendment to the 2^nd amendment updating it to the 21^st Century
• Stop the manufacture of automatic guns
• Do not attempt to confiscate the many automatic guns owned by private citizens, instead, implement a national gun buy back program that creates an incentive to return automatic guns
• Educate our children (yes, brainwash them) to respect the dignity of every human so that the thought of taking a life becomes repulsive
• Promote peace, not war.

I am not naïve.  The initiative that I posit would not happen overnight.  It would probably take three or more generations.  Let’s examine each point.

•      Write an amendment to the 2^nd amendment updating it to the 21^st Century
 

Amendment II of the United States Constitution reads:

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.

I refer you to:

https://alumni.berkeley.edu/california-magazine/just-in/2017-08-28/so-about-well-regulated-militia-part-constitution

Considering the present ability of Americans to buy and possess weapons capable of multiple human casualties, I posit that the writers of the 2^nd amendment are guilty of creating language that is too ambiguous and should be amended.

But let’s try to interpret their meaning.  I believe that the first phrase establishes a context for a body or group of people, who by their very intent, are brought together to secure a state against tyranny.  It is only toward that intent that the people (plural, not individuals) have the right to arm themselves, so not to be placed under tyranny.

The 2^nd amendment, therefore, gives the people of our country the right to prepare for war, not to allow individuals the right to possess weapons capable of multiple human casualties.

•      Stop the manufacture of automatic guns

Pass legislation making it illegal to manufacture automatic guns.  If leaders of Congress, like McConnell, refuses to bring the bill to the floor, galvanize the populace and force him to.

•      Do not attempt to confiscate the many automatic guns owned by private citizens, instead, implement a national gun “buy back” program that creates an incentive to return automatic guns

Common sense:  everything is for sale at the right price.

•      Educate our children (yes, brainwash them) to respect the dignity of every human so that the thought of taking a life becomes repulsive

Cut the “defense budget” (a misnomer) by 75% and redirect that money to education.

•      Promote peace, not war.

Live by two biblical scriptures: 1) Thou shall not kill, and 2) Love thy neighbor as thyself.

CPW