Mass Shootings and the 2nd Amendment

Mass shootings don’t have a single cause. Like all disasters, they are the culmination of missed opportunities, poor communication, shoddy work, ignoring the possible by supporting the probable, and the human condition. To avert, as much as possible, future events we must be open to discussions regarding hardening targets, allowing mental health experts to disclose relevant information, examine system failures and more, including examining the role of guns in our society. Alexander Hamilton supported the 2nd Amendment because he supported a well-regulated militia over a standing army. Thomas Jefferson supported it because he felt that citizens have a right to self-defense. In 2008, The Supreme Court upheld the rights of individuals to possess firearms unconnected to service in a militia, but for self-defense. It also found that, like most rights, the right is not unlimited, citing limitations based on previous criminal convictions, mental status and prohibitions on places guns could be carried. In this day and age, Hamilton’s argument seems outdated. In my opinion, there is no way any version, under current law, of an armed militia could defeat a government vested with nuclear weapons or drones that can eliminate pinpoint threats. This does not, in any way, negate Jefferson’s argument regarding the rights of self-defense. Recently, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called for a conversation about gun rights, questioning why Americans should have access to "military weapons." The military does not use “Assault-Style” semi-automatic rifles, but I think these types of weapons should be included in this conversation. She was referring to the relevance of Hamilton’s argument regarding an armed militia. "I think it is time for us to have a conversation about what the right to bear arms means in the modern world." I recently stumbled across a list of reasons why American’s “need” assault weapons by Evan Nappen, criminal attorney. Read it if you want, but it seems the most ridiculous justification I have ever seen. I would be open to hearing a reasonable justification for owning weapons like the AR-15 on lands protected by the US military or State National Guards. If anyone sites hunting, I would just say that I would hate to be the guy who dresses the carcass. It would be ripped to shreads. Here are the 101 reasons cited by Mr. Evans (you tell me): o 1. to help continue the American tradition of citizen/soldier. o 2. for recreation. o 3. to collect military small arms. o 4. to get quick extra shots at more game while hunting. o 5. to get quick extra shots at the same game while hunting. o 6. for more fun plinking. o 7. to defend yourself against a street gang. o 8. to defend yourself against mob violence. o 9. to defend yourself against looters. o 10. to shoot in a Civilian Marksmanship Program competition. o 11. to shoot in an “Action Rifle” or “Practical Rifle” target match. o 12. to assist the police in an emergency (e.g. 1966 Texas Tower Sniper incident, citizens assisted with M1's). o 13. to help defend the country from a foreign invasion. o 14. to help defend the country from an internal takeover. o 15. to help the firearms industry remain economically strong. o 16. to pay the federal tax on guns that goes to aid wildlife. o 17. to encourage further research into new firearm technology. o 18. to save time while shooting. o 19. to have increased reliability in functioning. o 20. to have a longer lasting firearm. o 21. to have a less costly/ more affordable firearm. o 22. to have an easier to manufacture firearm. o 23. to have an easier to repair firearm. o 24. to have an easier to take apart and clean firearm. o 25. to have a more versatile firearm. o 26. to own a highly weather resistant firearm. o 27. to appreciate the evolution of firearm technology. o 28. to defend your business. o 29. to defend your home. o 30. to defend your boat. o 31. to defend your camp. o 32. to defend your ranch. o 33. to defend your farm. o 34. to defend your family. o 35. to have reduced recoil when shooting. o 36. as an investment. o 37. as a military souvenir. o 38. as a hedge against inflation. o 39. because criminals statistically prefer revolvers over all other firearms. o 40. to have a more psychologically intimidating firearm. (often the mere presence of a firearm will stop a crime) o 41. to own a firearm least likely to be used in a crime. (less than 1% are assault firearms.) o 42. to own a firearm which purposely functions slower than other firearms thereby reducing recoil. (e.g. Remington 1100.) o 43. to own a firearm used in Olympic competition. o 44. to appreciate the mechanical genius of firearm designers. o 45. to have a firearm which uses external magazines. o 46. to shoot at the National Matches at Camp Perry. o 47. to reject anti-gun bias. o 48. to challenge “Big Brotherism”. o 49. to protect yourself against a pack of feral dogs. o 50. to own a firearm better for the physically handicapped. o 51. to save all firearms by not giving in to “salami” tactics. o 52. to do trick shooting (e.g. multiple aerial targets). o 53. to shoot military ammunition. (Inexpensive surplus) o 54. to be part of an armed populous, creating a tactical disadvantage for any potential enemies. o 55. to familiarize yourself with your country's military rifle. o 56. to familiarize yourself with a foreign country's military rifle. o 57. because they are interesting. o 58. to hang on your wall. o 59. to shoot clay targets. o 60. to shoot paper targets. o 61. to shoot Metallic Silhouettes. o 62. to exercise your constitutional rights. o 63. to exercise a natural right. o 64. to exercise a civil right. o 65. to exercise a fundamental right. o 66. to exercise an inalienable right. o 67. to exercise a human right. o 68. to defend yourself after a New York City-type blackout. o 69. to defend yourself against a Miami-type riot. o 70. to defend yourself after a St. Croix-type hurricane in which both officers and escaped prisoners have run amok. o 71. to avoid a “Tiananmen Square” in the U.S. o 72. to own a firearm in common use and therefore protected under the Heller decision. o 73. to protect livestock from predators. o 74. to show support for political ideals of the founding fathers. o 75. to own a firearm designed to wound rather than kill (according to the Dir. Of the Wound Ballistics Laboratory). o 76. to own a firearm not readily convertible to full automatic. o 77. to own a firearm with that “shoulder thingy that goes up.” o 78. to own a “state-of-the-art” firearm (e.g. FN SCAR). o 79. to own a “turn-of-the-century” firearm (e.g. Borchardt). o 80. which is more pleasant to shoot (lighter and less recoil). o 81. because all of your other firearms will be banned next. o 82. to own a firearm which is difficult to conceal. o 83. to own a firearm which the media glamorizes. o 84. to own a firearm which might be banned. o 85. to own a firearm which is banned. o 86. to own a firearm that is no frills and practical in design. o 87. to own on of the most mechanically-safe firearms. (e.g. Uzi). o 88. to own a firearm that is a “work of art”. o 89. to own a Valmet M-76 which the BATF says has no sporting use. o 90. to own a Valmet Hunter which the BATF says has sporting use. o 91. to own a firearm that made history (e.g. M-1 Carbine). o 92. to shoot a firearm that made history. o 93. to own a firearm that can be dropped and still function. o 94. to own a firearm that can be coated in mud and still function. o 95. to own a firearm that can be dunked in water and function. o 96. to own a firearm that can be frozen solid and still function. o 97. to own a firearm that can be buried in sand and still function. o 98. to be a prepared member of the unorganized militia as defined in the US Code (10 US Code Sect. 311 (a)). o 99. to distinguish between an object and its misuse. o 100.because you believe in freedom. o 101.if YOU say you need one.