“Well regulated” does not mean regulated by the government. The founding fathers knew that the right to bear arms and maintain a militia was indispensable because governments throughout history strive to grow and must be held in check. They had just fought a war and lost many precious loved ones in order to get out from under the rule of such a government. Therefore, well regulated means the armed militia does have order from within it, and does not break laws. Beyond that, our government has no say. It is a God given right to be able to maintain weapons to defend your property and loved ones. The government cannot take away or minimize our God given rights. They can only defend our God given rights.
How is that for a fair argument?
Garrett Benton
Scott, this is in response to the 2nd Amendment argument imbedded in your Op-Ed on July 21. On the Federal level, the Supreme Court of the United States has settled the debate over the meaning of the 2nd Amendment in the landmark case ‘’DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA v. HELLER’’, decision issued on June 26, 2008. In that decision, the majority ‘’held that the Second Amendment protects the INDIVIDUAL RIGHT TO POSSESS firearms and that the city’s [gun restrictions at issue] violated that right’’. The Court based its finding on a very lengthy and thorough analysis issued with its final decision. Whether one agrees or disagrees with the decision is irrelevant. This is settled U.S. law. With regard to firearms rights in this state, the State of Washington is governed and bound by Article 1 ‘’DECLARATION OF RIGHTS’’, Section 24 ‘’RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS’’, of the Washington State Constitution ratified in 1889. It reads in full, ‘’The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.’’ The clear and unambiguous language of Section 24 should inform even the most casual of readers that the 37 Washington State Sheriffs who have pledged to defend our constitutional rights are doing exactly what we elected them to do.
Steven Phillips
Reader Comments(1)
Bob VALEN writes:
There is depth to the discussion around the 2nd Amendment. I'll share this link that provided a bit more depth in this discussion. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/amdt2_1/
07/30/2021, 6:55 am