Hello. Sorry, haven't been here for long yet, but, well, thought it would be best to just jump right in.
Being an American, I have to say that anyone who badmouths the Constitution is asking for it. The United States is the only nation in the world ruled by a piece of paper, and we're proud of it. Granted, the current leaders ignore it, but, well, if they try and stay past their two-term limit, well, then, that's what the second amendment is for, nu?
The second amendment to the US constitution is very important to our continued liberty and security. Granted, every wacko and his cousin should not be able to get a gun, that is what gun restrictions are for. However, the government having all the guns is not acceptable. We have to be able to revolt in a case where our liberties are being revoked and destroyed. The right of revolution is practically guaranteed by the second amendment, and that is very important. Look at all of these nations that have banned guns, nations with forms of government similar to the United States. All of them have lost democracy. Every single one.
Now, European-style democracies, they don't have as much of a need for an armed population, as the executive is far less powerful in most democracies. However, the very nature of the executive power in the United States implies that, if it is abused greatly, we must be able to eliminate it. From the nation's own founding document:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
The Unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
Thomas Jefferson, 4 July 1776
Therefore, the second amendment is necessary. However, gun control laws are also necessary. For example, the gunman in this case had been classified a "danger to himself and others". Such should merit the confiscation of any owned firearms and the preventing of him from buying them. He bought the gun illegally, however. Therefore, illegal guns must be cracked down upon. How?
My proposal would be that every gun is printed with an individual ID code right out of the factory. Also, to require that all gun owners be of adult age, and that all gun owners pass a psychological examination before being permitted to own a gun.
Well, there's my rant.
Thanks for reading.
