Wednesday, January 16, 2013

More is not better


Second amendment to the U.S. constitution first part.

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,"

Okay let's go back to just after this was ratified. At that time and even before it was necessary for all able bodied men to be part of the local Militia. There really was no paid army so all guns and ammunition had to be provided by the local folks. This was even how Washington's army was made up of volunteers with their own firearms. Also note in the amendment the phrase "well regulated". So guns were regulated even back then. And anyone who's been in the military knows that they have very strict regulations about guns and their use. Why should the general public be any different? 

Here's some stats for you. The U.S. has over 300 million guns in this country. If each one had just 10 bullets it would be enough to wipe out half the worlds' population. Not enough? We also still have over 5100 nuclear weapons in our arsenals. That's enough to blow up the world a thousand times over and make the rubble bounce. Scientists estimate that with just 24 atomic bombs being set off would be enough to eliminate life on the planet.

So I have to ask how much is enough? We really do not need high capacity assault rifles in our cities and towns. They serve one purpose only and that's for war by a trained military. Shoot off a 50 cal. at the gun range but don't be keeping one under the bed because the Ruskies aren't going to be kicking your front door in any time soon. They're more apt to hack your computer and empty your bank account than cause you physical harm. Let's face it. You aren't going to walk into a grocery store or movie theater with an assault rifle. You can't take it to school or church. I'd bet most employers frown on having you bring one to work and you aren't going to go duck hunting with it. More than likely it will sit in a closet and collect dust so why have it in the first place?

One thing is for certain. With the current rush to buy guns there'll be more in circulation and with that increase will be more deaths either accidental or intentional. It's just a matter of statistics. 

3 comments:

Randal Graves said...

I wish the second amendment absolutists would realize that Chimpy was right: it's just a goddamn piece of paper. Written by a bunch of rich crackers who wanted to codify their place post-revolution in a nation eager to scarf down red herrings.

Demeur said...

The herrings are all gone now due to over fishing. Though you knew that.

Tom Harper said...

There are still plenty of red herrings; it's only the Kippered Herring that went extinct.