Principles withstand the test of times and are universal whereas laws and regulations change in order to meet the current needs. Is the right to bear arms a principle or a law?
The keyword is protection, which is a principle. At the time when the bill was adopted in 1791, when there was no established nationwide police force, it would have been quite necessary to protect oneself. People had to bear arms in the form of guns to protect themselves. But holding on to a bygone era law for the love of guns bypasses common sense, especially in the light of such heart wrenching tragedies as Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. I believe the purpose for which the law was established has been accomplished with the establishment of law enforcement agencies. Apart from the principle of protection the Second Amendment makes little sense.
The push for the right to own guns seems like a mad dash into a paradigm of lawlessness. It defies logic to believe that possession of guns facilitates safety for all. As we struggle to regain composure from recent tragedies, it has become very evident that possession of guns does not translate into making the world any safer.
There is more to pulling a trigger than responsible gun ownership. It involves consistent self-discipline and emotional stability under extreme circumstances. In other words, you don't just start shooting because you are angry at the world. It is for a reason that the law enforcement goes through extensive training. It is important to pause and think whether people who profess devotion to guns are willing go through such rigorous exercise.
Let us look at the issue from a geo-political standpoint. If more arms meant more safety, why is the United States so opposed - rightly so - to a nuclear Iran or North Korea? The answer is simple - more arms do not make the world a safer place. Shouldn't we apply the same principle within our country?
It would be sensible and judicious to let go of a bygone era law that has run its course. Instead of letting the gun lobbyists capitalize on the political divide, let us embrace peace; and work towards making the world a better place to live - one step at a time.
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