... is one of our most important amendments. It succinctly elucidates the most important aspect of our being able to forge, and then keep safe, our form of government. It is simple and reads thus:
"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."
This is probably the second-most important Amendment--notably ordered right after our freedom of speech--that enshrines our rights as Americans. Keeping it as intended is one of the most important issues facing our Republic today. There is no end to those that would emasculate us further. This must *not* be allowed to happen!
NB: When reading the PDF files below, it may be quicker to, 'Right Click', and "Save target as...".
On the 18th of March, 2008, the amicus brief generated for Dick Heller (the gun-ownership-rights side) vs. 'The District of Columbia' (the gun-ban side) by Congress is some of the very best pro-second amendment reading that you'll find today. Thoroughly researched, logically laid out, and clear to the point of being brilliant, this essay is a must read for those of us concerned about our second amendment rights: In SUPPORT of the Second Amendment (PDF file). This brief cites back to many of the original sources of the Constitution and our Bill of Rights, meaning that it reaches back through over 200 years of American history.
One of the best, new (to me, anyway) jewels to come out of that document is:
"The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in
the people; that . . . it is their right and duty to be at all times armed."
-- Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Justice John Cartwright (June 5, 1824).
For comparison you should also read the anti-gun rights: AGAINST the Second Amendment (PDF file). This was also written by members of congress, but by those on the opposing side of the second amendment divide. Unlike the "pro-rights" brief, this one only manages to be able to go back a few decades in finding support for their position. What's most notable is how, on the "signature" page, this brief decidedly OMITS the party affiliation of the congress-persons that drafted and signed it. Why is that, I wonder...?
In all, 32 states filed in support of the Second Amendment, as well as 40 state gun-rights groups and general rights groups of every stripe and description (NB: The "ACLU" was conspicuously absent); and these states: New York, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Porto Rico filed to deny your right to possess a weapon. Besides them, the American Bar Assn., the NAACP, as well as the cities of Chicago and Washington DC continue to be against the private possession and carrying of firearms by law-abiding and legally entitled citizens.
Finally, a quick read of an Academic Brief (PDF file) regarding the crime and murder rates while the DC gun-ban was in effect, s/b most enlightening to those that can't understand why real citizens want to carry self-protection.