Now is time for sensible gun regulations

The Second Amendment is our second shortest amendment. It could have been shorter, simply declaring that the right to bear arms shall not be infringed. Very clear, right? Everyone has the right to carry, any weapon, anywhere, anytime. So, why the longer sentence? Why not say militia, without the well-regulated phrase?

'In order to form a more perfect union,” the state delegates under our first national document, The Articles of Confederation, gathered together to rewrite those Articles. The Second Amendment of the Constitution is a condensed version of Article VI and fleshes out that militias are in lieu of a permanent standing national guard in each state, must be well-regulated, and the arms and ammunition kept in a public facility, not in personal homes.

A personal right to carry arms is not in there.

This 'right” to defend ourselves from perceived dangers has killed 17 teenagers. You can feel the fear and observe the physical pain they experienced in the videos these children have shared on social media. Their friends, families, co-workers, teammates, surviving classmates and teachers are scarred for each of those lifetimes. The rippling effect will grow and mar relationships for generations.

We, the people, have asked for sensible gun regulations. Original intent of our Constitution supports that path. Political leaders ignore the grievances of the people, which is one of the 'government tyranny” descriptions the Founding Fathers complained about the British doing. So everyone still has their guns, yet tyranny has arrived. Are these deaths worth it?

Laura Twing

Tipton