David Miller: Second Amendment affirms rights of the state, not all individuals

“I think it is very important for all of us to remember why we have Second Amendment rights.” — Quinn Brouillard

Too right! Well, almost — “we” as individuals don't have Second Amendment rights. Let's break it down again section by section for historical interpretation and complete understanding of the Second Amendment ratified in 1791:

"A well-regulated Militia"

Organized, disciplined, and maintained to promote efficient capabilities.

"... being necessary to the security of a free State,"

To maintain freedom from tyranny, foreign and domestic, each state must be allowed to call upon their own militia to meet independent defensive needs.

"... the right of the people to keep and bear Arms,"

Arms, derived from the Latin "arma" meaning "tools of war," is not synonymous with guns or any other weapon; note the capitalization of (A)rms, denoting the specific importance of the term. Arms are when weapons are carried to conduct warfare, not when carried for personal use.

"... shall not be infringed."

The federal government cannot deny a state's right to maintain, arm, and call forth their well-regulated militia. If the federal government could disarm state militia, states could be left defenseless when citizens need protection most — from tyranny.

The Second Amendment is a collective state right, not an individual right, or states would be subjected to the tyranny of individuals without recourse. Willful blindness, or closing your eyes to facts which are highly likely to exist, is a judicial concept current SCOTUS majority and several Sun contributors should investigate. I will confess in eighth grade I memorized “the Second Amendment protects the right to bear Arms” and my teachers affirmed this understanding by marking such responses correct; my understanding was incomplete, wrong, but I thought I was right.

David Miller

Meredith