Understanding the Second Amendment

• The United States Constitution grants citizens the right to keep and bear arms.
• Americans have enjoyed this right, with few restrictions, since the establishment of the first colonies around 400 years ago.
• The Second Amendment states that a well-regulated militia is necessary for a free state, thus the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
• Many Americans regard the right to own and use guns as a cornerstone of American liberty, a right belonging to all free citizens to protect themselves.
• There is a counter-argument that the right to bear arms has become a curse, citing gun violence statistics.
• Over 30,000 Americans are killed annually due to gun violence.

Historical Background

• A historical perspective is essential to understanding America's relationship with firearms and the current gun debate.
• Pioneers settling America needed guns for hunting and protection against Native Americans.
• The American colonies' military defense relied on a militia system where every citizen was a soldier obliged to provide their own gun.
• Standing armies were distrusted as threats to liberty due to concentrated power.
• A militia composed of the entire population ensured the country's security depended on individual citizens being armed.
• Guns symbolized freedom from European political and religious oppression.
• Early European settlers had a distrust of government and central authority due to restrictions on owning weapons in the Old World.
• The pioneers saw the armed citizen as the foundation of a free republic.
• Colonists wanted to protect themselves against foreign powers and their own rulers to maintain their liberty.
• The right to own weapons became a symbol of rejecting the Old World and a necessity for survival.
• The individual's right to bear arms was not questioned when the Bill of Rights was written as a supplement to the Constitution in 1789.

Deadlocked Debate

• Gun ownership did not become controversial until the 1960s.
• Urban America faced increased violence, and guns became the weapon of choice for criminals.
• Guns were used against respected political and social leaders such as John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King
• The gun control debate continues to this day without a viable solution.
• The debate involves deeply entrenched opinions, making consensus difficult.
• The debate has polarized America into two camps, each with leading organizations.
• Those supporting gun control advocate for stricter laws, better gun registration, handgun licensing, and even complete bans on handguns.
• The Brady Campaign is a prominent gun control organization that lobbies Congress, state legislatures, and local governments for stricter gun laws.
• The Brady Campaign was founded in 1974 as Handgun Control, Inc.
• In 1981, the name was changed to honor James Brady, President Reagan's assistant.
• James Brady was permanently disabled in an assassination attempt.
• The Brady Campaign has approximately 1 million members today.
• Those against gun control believe the Second Amendment guarantees every American the right to own a gun.
• They argue private gun ownership deters crime and reduces homicides.
• The National Rifle Association (NRA), with over 5 million members, is the most visible political force defending gun rights.
• The NRA aims to prevent any gun control laws from passing through Congress.
• The NRA asserts that "Guns don't kill, people do."
• The NRA actively comments on and influences discussions about the Second Amendment and gun ownership.

A Patchwork of Gun Control Laws

• The diversity of gun ownership and purchasing laws is a major problem for the United States.
• Laws vary significantly from state to state and county to county.
• The U.S. consists of a patchwork of gun control legislations.
• Existing gun control measures have been largely ineffective.
• America has not implemented a national gun policy that effectively regulates the purchasing and use of firearms.
• An effective federal gun policy is needed to control the gun problem, but there's no telling the likelihood or timing of this in the near future.