Am I the only one who finds it outrageous that any member of the American military and police forces must be fully trained in how to use and store any weapon before they're ever issued that weapon, yet a civilian can just buy any weapon they want without ever being trained or demonstrating that they've been trained first? Am I the only one who thinks that everyone in America who even wants to purchase or even use a gun must be fully trained in how to properly use and store that weapon first?
First things first, the Second Amendment of the American Constitution:
It would help to no end if Americans, especially those members of the NRA and their sycophantic followers, would actually learn the most important and opening words of the 2nd Amendment: "A well regulated militia". Having enough money to pay for the gun and requisite ammunition as well as the patience to wait out any waiting period does NOT make a person a part of "a well regulated militia".
A bit of history which used to be taught in high school and probably still is but gets ignored or glossed over:
The United States began as the loose coalition of states, originally the 13 British colonies, that were brought together under the Constitution thus forming a central government that gave both unity and some cohesion to those states. While there was a standing army (in this context, this term is simpler to use than "armed forces"), the Continental Army, that was controlled by the federal government, it was still necessary in time of war to augment it with militias that were formed, controlled, and maintained at the state level. Militias were then what the National Guard is now.
This was the most expedient solution as those militias already existed and were the armed forces used to defeat the British army during the Revolutionary War. What's more, it was believed that every able-bodied man (in this, yes, they were sexist) in a given age range as determined by the individual states would eventually serve in their local militia, and that they would maintain their own small arms equipment as needed. Equipment that they would actually be trained thoroughly in how to properly use and maintain prior to being allowed to ever have such weapons. Larger weapons, such as cannons and requisite ammunition, were stowed in the armoury when not in use.
It was specifically those very militias that are referenced in the Second Amendment.
[Related:
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2022/06/06/its-time-democrats-stop-agreeing-second-amendment-protects-individuals-right-bear]
Next, guns themselves:
The sole
purpose of a gun is to maim and/or kill at a distance quickly and efficiently. Any argument of what
physically does the killing demonstrates a distinct mental disconnect
(not to mention a severe case of cranial-rectal inversion).
What's more, all a drawn gun demonstrates is two things:
First, whether it's drawn or holstered, empty or loaded, a gun simply
demonstrates fear. The fear felt by the person who's carrying and holding the gun. This
includes the American police and military. Other nations (e.g. Great Britain) have police forces that are not constantly armed with a firearm and are
further trained to do something Americans find unthinkable: they
actually talk down the criminal with the gun and disarm them without
firing a single shot or brandishing their own weapon. They're not
completely defenseless as they do have collapsible batons and tasers,
but those are not their first used option. Instead, they use a far more
dangerous weapon: their BRAIN.
The second thing a drawn gun demonstrates is that you are immediately the prime target of anyone else with a loaded gun. This obviously includes the police, who actually are properly trained in the proper use and storage of their weapons before they are ever issued their weapons.
I have an idea: Everyone in the NRA hierarchy and everyone who panders to them (including every politician who accepts any money from the NRA) should be shot, preferably embarrassingly and unexpectedly. Note I said shot and not killed. This way, they might learn from the experience. Especially if it's done in such a way that even if they're armed themselves it wouldn't actually help them in the slightest. Though I think the exercise would need to be repeated several times for each gun worshiper before they wake up to the outrageous danger their lust for guns puts everyone in.
Another suggestion would be to start heavily taxing ammunition. People will definitely stop and think before firing a bullet that costs $1000 and can never be reused.
It is long past time that the carnage made so readily enacted by guns comes to an end.
by Rev. J.T. Smith
