A Letter to the Editor

I did it. I broke down and wrote another letter to the editor. It was on the subject of gun control. I will post it here. I posted it on my church's web board and there has been quite a bit of interesting discussion over it.

Dear Editor,

I have been following this "gun rights" debate for several months.

I challenge your readers to actually read the second amendment to the constitution.

As passed by the Congress:

"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."

In the 1700's when this amendment was written, and even in 1800's frontier America, there were no police forces or national standing armies. Every state and even some communities raised their own militias to protect themselves against Indians and lawless marauders. These militias sometimes even had uniforms but they were common citizens that were a part of a state or community militia.

That was necessary in that day. Now we have standing armies, national guards and police forces to keep the peace. Citizens no longer have any need to bear arms for their own protection. Sure hunters need rifles. But who, in this day and age, needs an assault weapon? Those were designed for the military for war.

The culture has changed and become more violent than at any time since the 1700s. Since the tragedy at Newtown in December over 3500 people have been killed by guns.

How many states now have a militia? How many communities?

How many more people will be killed before people actually read the background of the second amendment and use some common sense?

Someone answered that we still needed militias and the federal government had no power over police forces. This was my answer to him.

We have the national guard and the army. Remember the national guard? They were called up in the south during the 60s after communities turned fire hoses and police dogs loose on children.