Second Amendment

I believe the second amendment should stand, and I agree that it is a necessary right. The time of the second amendment in the late 18th century, the word "militia" meant all able-bodied male citizens between the ages of 17 and 45. Even today, the United States Code states that the militia is all “male citizens and resident aliens at least 17 up to 45 with or without military service experience, and including additionally those under 64 having former military service experience, as well as including female citizens who are members of the National Guard.”   The right bear to arms for self-preservation pre-dates the U.S. Constitution, the Second Amendment does not grant the right to arms, but simply protects the right to arms. Those concerned about high levels of gun violence in the United States in comparison to other developed countries look to restrictions on gun ownership as a way to stop violence. I believe that a well-armed public prevents crime and that making civilian ownership of firearms illegal would increase the crime rate by making law-abiding citizens vulnerable to those who choose to disregard the law. For the FBI's report of 10,177 gunshot deaths in 2006, there were 2.5 million crimes de-escalated by armed citizens, who believed they had sufficient control of the situation that they did not have to fire their weapon. Criminals ignore gun control laws and are effectively deterred only by armed intended victims just as higher penalties deter crime.   A study supported by the National Rifle Association found that homicide rates as a whole, especially homicides as a result of firearms use, are not always significantly lower in many other developed countries. This is apparent in the UK and Japan, which have very strict gun control, while Israel, Canada, and Switzerland at the same time have low homicide rates and high rates of gun distribution.   Cross-national comparisons do not provide a sound basis for assessing the impact of gun ownership levels on crime... [continues]

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