See Jane Learn: The Right to Bear Arms

By CJP | December 20, 2007

In our occasional series,”See Jane Learn,” we acquaint ourselves with one of the Constitution’s 27 amendments, because the first step to fighting for your rights is knowing what they are.

We spoke freely about the First Amendment a few weeks ago. Today we move to the Second Amendment, always important, but in the news today in light of yesterday’s passage of a bill that will make it harder for people with a history of mental illness to buy a gun. [AP]

The Second Amendment reads, “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.”

Does this really matter, you ask, if you are not interested in fielding a well regulated militia? Legal scholars, hunters, mayors, presidential candidates, Charlton Heston and even grammar experts say it does matter and have wrangled over the meaning and scope of the oddly worded sentence for years. Also, the Supreme Court announced last month that it will rule on the meaning of the Second Amendment for the first time in 70 years, when it decides whether or not to overturn a ban on handguns in Washington, D.C.

CJP does not purport to be a constitutional expert, but we do know who is. Head on over to Jurist, a project of University of Pittsburgh’s Law School, which keeps abreast of the latest developments in gun advocacy and gun control. For a look at two sides of the multi-dimensional issue, check out the National Rifle Association and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

Second Amendment rights always come up in Republican primaries, and this year is no different. Here is Mitt Romney discussing the issue on the Meet the Press. Here are more of the Republican candidates answering a question on gun rights at the CNN/ YouTube debate.

With the Supreme Court decision coming up, Congress passing a gun control bill last night and the presidential campaign at full throttle, it’s time to know about the 2nd Amendment, Janes. Even if you don’t pack heat or shoot skeet for fun, as we like to say, you can’t fight for your rights if you don’t even know what they are.

Next up, the Third Amendment, which deals with the quartering of soldiers. Why not just cut them in half you ask? Tune in to find out. [Totally kidding about cutting anyone in half.]

Topics: Amendment-a-Day

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