COLUMN: Second Amendment poorly written, needs revisions
Updated 12:00 PM ET August 3, 2000
By Chris Hansen
The State News
Michigan State U.
(U-WIRE) EAST LANSING, Mich. -- I'll begin student teaching in an inner-city school in one month. Some obdurate pro-gun people are suggesting that I purchase a handgun for protection.
It is unfortunate that they refuse to realize children will think violence is an acceptable way of dealing with problems if they see their teachers carrying guns. The presentation of suggestive tokens of violence, such as handguns through real life, television or movies, leads to actual violence and ultimately, death.
I long for the day when pro-gun people realize "an eye for an eye" way of life will make everyone blind.
I'm surprised that pro-gun advocates don't recognize handguns as instruments of death. Handguns are responsible for thousands of homicides every year.
The U.S. government is generally quick to protect decent drivers from defective vehicles by taking vehicles off the buying market or at least fixing their defects. It is time for the U.S. government to protect the lives of all citizens by taking guns out of the hands of people that contain an undisclosed amount of paranoia that makes them think they need to carry a handgun to feel safe.
I question the sanity of anyone who thinks they need a handgun to feel safe. In fact, many pro-gun people may feel uneasy or even enraged because of what they have read thus far. Before reading on, please recognize that there is no "handgun" in the NRA acronym. In the following paragraphs I will not try to stimulate emotions simply to make people angry. I will present a common-sense argument regarding the need to restrict the distribution of handguns.
First of all, people that feel they need handguns for safety are not mentally stable and are putting others in danger.
The chances of being a victim of homicide in the United States are still more than a ratio of 100,000-to-1. In the rare occurrence that a stranger robs a person at gunpoint, the victim is more likely to die from a gunshot if they antagonize their attacker, by showing the attacker their own handgun.
The same feelings of paranoia that caused the victim to buy a handgun in the first place are now occurring in the attacker. The attacker then shoots the victim instead of merely robbing him or her. So much for added "protection."
Worst of all is the fact that this paranoia breeds more criminals. A person that purchases a handgun for protection may become so paranoid that they'll become a criminal. Almost two-thirds of felony weapons violators had no prior criminal history before they purchased a gun. The servile battle cry of "guns don?t kill people, people kill people" is completely false. Most people wouldn't know the first thing about killing others if they had to kill without a gun.
The Second Amendment says, "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." This poorly written amendment regarding "the right to bear arms" was written more than 200 years ago when the United States did not have a formal army and needed militias to fight the British. We no longer have to fear the redcoats, people. The United States has a very modern defense system. It is no longer necessary for normal citizens to bear arms in order to create spontaneous military defense.
Some people feel they need handguns to protect themselves from a government takeover. A .44-caliber Magnum and a shack full of other guns is no match for a ballistic missile. Face it, if the government wants to take you over or kill you, it will.
Letting anyone bear and sell arms only creates more gun-wielding maniacs. The Second Amendment needs to be changed so that it only gives people the right to bear hunting rifles. These rifles should only be available through registered gun dealers.
It is very difficult to conceal a hunting rifle. Most hunting rifles are also difficult to equip with semi-automatic features -- I know this because I spent 18 years in a small town that takes pride in hunting.
I used to hunt but am no longer an advocate of the sport. However, if people want to spend their free time killing sentient beings besides humans, it is between them and their karma.
We live in a free country where people can do whatever they want as long as it doesn't threaten the lives of others. Letting people own instruments of death such as handguns is a threat to the freedom of all Americans. The Brady Bill's background check and our outstanding economy have combined to bring homicide by firearms down 32 percent since 1993. This is a good start. Child safety trigger locks and more extensive background checks are essential and completely rational.
The majority of Americans are not walking around with guns because we don't have to and don't want to. In order to create a safer America, we must realize that "guns don't die, people do."
That's exactly what I plan to teach my students.
(C) 2000 The State News via U-WIRE
---------------------------------------------------------
Best advertisement for home schooling yet!
Geoff Ross
------------------
One reason to vote in the next Presidential election.
It's the Supreme Court, Stupid!
Updated 12:00 PM ET August 3, 2000
By Chris Hansen
The State News
Michigan State U.
(U-WIRE) EAST LANSING, Mich. -- I'll begin student teaching in an inner-city school in one month. Some obdurate pro-gun people are suggesting that I purchase a handgun for protection.
It is unfortunate that they refuse to realize children will think violence is an acceptable way of dealing with problems if they see their teachers carrying guns. The presentation of suggestive tokens of violence, such as handguns through real life, television or movies, leads to actual violence and ultimately, death.
I long for the day when pro-gun people realize "an eye for an eye" way of life will make everyone blind.
I'm surprised that pro-gun advocates don't recognize handguns as instruments of death. Handguns are responsible for thousands of homicides every year.
The U.S. government is generally quick to protect decent drivers from defective vehicles by taking vehicles off the buying market or at least fixing their defects. It is time for the U.S. government to protect the lives of all citizens by taking guns out of the hands of people that contain an undisclosed amount of paranoia that makes them think they need to carry a handgun to feel safe.
I question the sanity of anyone who thinks they need a handgun to feel safe. In fact, many pro-gun people may feel uneasy or even enraged because of what they have read thus far. Before reading on, please recognize that there is no "handgun" in the NRA acronym. In the following paragraphs I will not try to stimulate emotions simply to make people angry. I will present a common-sense argument regarding the need to restrict the distribution of handguns.
First of all, people that feel they need handguns for safety are not mentally stable and are putting others in danger.
The chances of being a victim of homicide in the United States are still more than a ratio of 100,000-to-1. In the rare occurrence that a stranger robs a person at gunpoint, the victim is more likely to die from a gunshot if they antagonize their attacker, by showing the attacker their own handgun.
The same feelings of paranoia that caused the victim to buy a handgun in the first place are now occurring in the attacker. The attacker then shoots the victim instead of merely robbing him or her. So much for added "protection."
Worst of all is the fact that this paranoia breeds more criminals. A person that purchases a handgun for protection may become so paranoid that they'll become a criminal. Almost two-thirds of felony weapons violators had no prior criminal history before they purchased a gun. The servile battle cry of "guns don?t kill people, people kill people" is completely false. Most people wouldn't know the first thing about killing others if they had to kill without a gun.
The Second Amendment says, "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." This poorly written amendment regarding "the right to bear arms" was written more than 200 years ago when the United States did not have a formal army and needed militias to fight the British. We no longer have to fear the redcoats, people. The United States has a very modern defense system. It is no longer necessary for normal citizens to bear arms in order to create spontaneous military defense.
Some people feel they need handguns to protect themselves from a government takeover. A .44-caliber Magnum and a shack full of other guns is no match for a ballistic missile. Face it, if the government wants to take you over or kill you, it will.
Letting anyone bear and sell arms only creates more gun-wielding maniacs. The Second Amendment needs to be changed so that it only gives people the right to bear hunting rifles. These rifles should only be available through registered gun dealers.
It is very difficult to conceal a hunting rifle. Most hunting rifles are also difficult to equip with semi-automatic features -- I know this because I spent 18 years in a small town that takes pride in hunting.
I used to hunt but am no longer an advocate of the sport. However, if people want to spend their free time killing sentient beings besides humans, it is between them and their karma.
We live in a free country where people can do whatever they want as long as it doesn't threaten the lives of others. Letting people own instruments of death such as handguns is a threat to the freedom of all Americans. The Brady Bill's background check and our outstanding economy have combined to bring homicide by firearms down 32 percent since 1993. This is a good start. Child safety trigger locks and more extensive background checks are essential and completely rational.
The majority of Americans are not walking around with guns because we don't have to and don't want to. In order to create a safer America, we must realize that "guns don't die, people do."
That's exactly what I plan to teach my students.
(C) 2000 The State News via U-WIRE
---------------------------------------------------------
Best advertisement for home schooling yet!
Geoff Ross
------------------
One reason to vote in the next Presidential election.
It's the Supreme Court, Stupid!
