what would the second amendment say if it reflected today's laws?

[Takket]

I don't mean "what do you want it to say". I mean, if it were written today, without the word militia (for one thing) that causes so many arguments, what would it say?

To reflect current laws, I think you would just keep the last half and lose a comma.

"The right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed."

Maybe you could clarify "bear" to clear up the open/concealed carry argument?

Maybe you could clarify arms so it is understood that we are talking about hand weapons, not nukes and loaded tanks?

[lapfog_1]

1. lets just get rid of it

I'm good with removing the absolute right... and leave it to a law that can be passed and amended by Congress to deal with changing technology and what is and is not allowed.

For example:

Large magazines (more than 5)... not allowed.

Single shot bolt action rifles... allowed.

and so forth.

might even create an agency to deal with making recommendations... oh wait... we have one.

[loyalsister]

2. While possibly subject to trial and punishment,

the right to kill shall not be infringed

[jmg257]

3. It wouldn't say anything - the people decided militias are NOT the best security of a free State,

a huge standing Army and kick-ass Navy are...so no need for militias, no need for the Congress to have powers related to arming the people/militias, and so no need for the 2nd.

US Code gives the President power to call forth the Armed Forces to serve the role the militias were supposed to.

[hunter]

4. The second amendment is an ugly relic of the 18th century, just as slavery was.

It's most often been used as a tool of oppression.

Call a few fools a militia and they'll shoot black people, Indians, striking workers, anyone...

Just strike it out.

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

It will happen eventually, if the U.S.A. survives as a nation, and not an idiocracy.

[TeddyR]

6. Who is using the Second Amendment as a tool of oppression?

I'm not sure you've really thought through this statement.

[hunter]

7. I've thought it through fine, thank you.

The Fox News version of U.S. History is bullshit.

Slave owners were very well motivated to keep guns.

So were factory and mine owners who abused workers. So were those desiring Indian lands.

[TeddyR]

8. I agree that slave owners were motivated to keep guns

The folks seizing Indian lands were the US government. Not sure about factory/mine owners but don't necessarily disagree. I was thinking more about the last 50 years though - who in the last 50 years is using the Second Amendment for oppression?

[hunter]

9. A nasty asshole shooting up a club. Another nasty asshole shooting up a church?

A nasty asshole shooting an unarmed kid on the street?

It goes on and on and on...

Every gun fetishist is a potential terrorist, suicide, or tragic accident waiting to happen.

[TeddyR]

11. What is a "gun fetishist"?

I mean, that seems to be a pretty vague term. Anyone who owns a gun, anyone who supports the Second Amendment, anyone who disagrees with you on this issue? I agree that we should ban felons from owning guns and voting, but those folks have been convicted of a crime.

[Alex4Martinez]

5. From the Constitution of the State of California:

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 1 DECLARATION OF RIGHTS


SECTION 1. All people are by nature free and independent and have
inalienable rights. Among these are enjoying and defending life and
liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and pursuing
and obtaining safety, happiness, and privacy.

IMO, this is reasonable language.
With proper regulation, and provided the person has not surrendered said rights through trial and conviction of crimes or by otherwise being found unfit to be allowed access to self defense devices, the right to possess arms for the specific uses above shall not be infringed.

[scscholar]

10. That is reasonable language

It can be reinterpreted many different ways, as needed.

[TeddyR]

12. Numerous states have very reasonable constitutional provisions regarding the right to bear arms

Maine: Every citizen has a right to keep and bear arms and this right shall never be questioned.

New Hampshire: All persons have the right to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves, their families, their property and the state.

[One_Life_To_Give]

13. 1772 Boston Pamphlet updated

Among the natural Rights of the ColonistsCitizens are these: First, a Right to Life; secondly, to Liberty;
thirdly, to Property; together with the Right to support and defend them in the best Manner they can.