Second Amendment Rights Cannot Overshadow Our Unalienable Rights | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Second Amendment Rights Cannot Overshadow Our Unalienable Rights

Rethinking the discussion on gun violence and weapons ownership in the United States.

735
Second Amendment Rights Cannot Overshadow Our Unalienable Rights
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

This is a response to Gun Violence is Real, and People Don’t Come Back.

**First of all, I would like to preface this article with the following sentiment. I am not an expert on weapons. I am not an expert on the epidemic in this country that is gun violence and mass shootings. I am not an expert in law and implementation of the rule of law.

But I am someone who has grown up in an era where mass shootings are the terrible norm.

I grew up always looking over my shoulder at large events and in public places, I grew up with surprise “lockdown” drills in school that scared the s**t out of me, and I strongly believe it is well past time to rethink our priorities.**


One of the most recognizable lines in the United States Declaration of Independence is as follows;

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all [people] are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

This understanding of rights that all people residing in the United States be afforded is something I would like to bring into conversation with the topic of gun violence in the US.

Typically those in defense of gun rights overwhelmingly evoke the Second Amendment of the Constitution in their arguments;

“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.”

Note that while the Second Amendment states the people have a right “to keep and bear Arms,” it makes no mention of the type of “Arm” which it is referring to. Defenders of gun ownership have come to equate the Second Amendment understanding of an Arm with firearms.

Since the ratification of the Constitution in 1788 (and the Second Amendment’s ratification in 1791), it’s fair to say that the weaponry of the world has advanced and what exists now (that is considered an Arm) is far from what the writer’s of the Constitution could ever have thought possible.

That being said, many law professionals are under the consensus that the original intent of the Second Amendment was to prevent the need for the US to have a standing professional army and didn’t imply private citizens would keep weapons for self-defense during times of peace.

Regardless of the original intent, responsible Arms-owners (for argument’s sake encompasses firearms, knives, etc.) should be able to claim some protection under the Second Amendment and I think that’s a fair stance for people to take.

However, I am also of the firm belief that responsible Arms-owners should have no problem with undergoing thorough background checks in order to obtain said Arms. Secondly, they should remain in good standing with the law to keep custody of those Arms. And lastly, it is paramount that they take precautions to ensure their weapons do not fall into the hands of vulnerable populations (e.g. minors in their household).

Just because someone may have a constitutional right to own a firearm or a knife, doesn’t mean they can use it whenever and on whoever they please.

That is simply absurd and not conducive to a functioning, respectful, safe, and healthy society.

And the most important aspect I hope you take away from this very brief opinion on Arms control in the United States is this;

Someone’s right to keep a weapon does not give them the right to take a life.

Afterall, the very people who broke away from England to start the country many of us call home today made a pronounced effort to document that people in this country are entitled to the unalienable rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Clinging to our weapons is not patriotic. They are material things. They can be replaced.

We should cling to each other and respect the lives of our fellow neighbors. That is patriotic.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
an image of taylor swift standing center stage surrounded by her backup dancers in elegant peacock esque outfits with a backdrop of clouds and a box rising above the stage the image captures the vibrant aesthetics and energy of her performance during the lover era of her eras tour
StableDiffusion

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

86173
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

11506
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments