A common-sense idea that emerged in the ongoing gun control discussion is that the Second Amendment to the Constitution should be “renegotiated,” i.e. changed, updated. The amendment was written in 1791. It guarantees members of “a well-regulated militia” the right to bear arms. There were “well-regulated militias” in 1791, but I am unaware of any today.
Who, among today’s gun advocates, can argue that America hasn’t changed since 1791? There were no assault rifles or mega round magazines in 1791 or any mass shootings in schools. Amending the U.S. Constitution requires a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress and approval by a constitutional convention called for by two thirds of the states. But, it is time we consider amending the Second Amendment to fit America of 2018, not 1791.
The NRA says it likes the language of 1791.
I am a retired Marine who has fired every personal weapon in the Marine Corps arsenal thousands of times, and they have no place in schools, theaters, stores, restaurants, public places or in the hands of mentally unstable people. They simply are intended to kill people. I marched in the March for Our Lives and the young people are right.
John Dwan, Holladay
