To the Editor:
Much lately is talked about in the news and maybe even around the water cooler about the 2nd Amendment. The 2nd Amendment is part of the Bill of Rights, written inalienable rights of every citizen. We hear arguments stating that the 2nd Amendment is outdated. As a citizen I question how an inalienable right can ever be outdated, and as fellow citizens, ask yourself how can any inalienable right be outdated? I think I have heard all the arguments for and against the 2nd Amendment and wonder why we are even discussing possibly taking away an inalienable right. We all can understand that the purpose of a gun generally speaking is to be used to kill something, just like a bow and arrow is. The two are no different in their purpose and of course both can be used for sport as with anything else. At the founding of this country people had to become armed against a tyrannical government. Eventually these people would fight the American Revolution. The reason the 2nd Amendment was put into writing was to make sure that the states of the union and the individual people within the union of each state could protect themselves in the event the government or any other entity would come to do them harm. If you say that the 2nd Amendment does not apply today I would question the thought process. In today’s current environment it is even more prevalent than it has been in the last 100 years that citizens must maintain the right to defend themselves from all enemies both foreign and domestic. Last, before anyone jumps down the rabbit hole, take away the fact that the 2nd Amendment has anything to do with guns. In actuality the right to bear arms could include a sword for all intents and purposes. Why are people not walking around with swords, well because guns were invented but carrying a sword is appropriate as well. With all this said if you do jump down the rabbit hole and think the 2nd Amendment needs to be changed or eliminated you may want to rethink this thought process. Should we allow the 2nd Amendment to be weakened or repealed what is to stop people from wanting to limit or repeal the other 9? This is a serious and valid question because there are people who believe that speech should be limited. I was in a heated battle on the 1st Amendment in a local newspaper with a person who believes the 1st Amendment only applies if you tell the truth. The first protects speech period if it is true or not. These people are lurking in the halls of liberty looking for ways to get their oppressive ways into the Constitution. So before you are so willing to give up any rights consider the ramifications and how it can open a Pandora’s Box to allow people and governments to strip you of other inalienable rights. No citizen of this country should surrender any rights period.
SHAWN JARYNO