Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Second Amendment - Original Text

"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."


"Selective Incorporation"



McDonald v. City of Chicago

How to Interpret the Second Amendment

ACTIVITY: In small groups, attempt to rewrite the second amendment in a way that you feel meets contemporary needs and attitudes while simultaneously being faithful to the original intent of the founders when they wrote 2A.

Mr. K's exemplar is below:

To permanently secure the blessings of liberty, all American citizens of at least the age of majority will be considered members of a citizens' militia. To ensure proper fortification of the same; the right to keep and bear arms will not be infringed in any manner whatsoever. All citizens will be free to purchase, and bear, common weapons of the day, without exception, for the purpose of castle defense (home defense) and self-defense. No citizen will appear in public with armament fitted with an external magazine capable of firing more than 10 rounds; the final condition being suspended during a time of declared war, or a declared state of emergency in their local jurisdiction(s). Government entities will not restrict or impede the free trade of ammunition and magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds; though it is understood that the public possession (outside of the home) is restricted as articulated above.