America, Land Of the Armed (A reaction to the Colorado Dark Knight Rises shooting)

“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.” -The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.

So tell me readers is a well regulated militia really necessary to the security of a free state in 2012?

The figures for the strength of our military are in constant flux but according to globalfirepower.com we have a defense budget of $692,000,000,000, we have 2,384 Navy Ships, 1,477,896 active Military members, 1,458,500 in active reserve, and that doesn’t even scratch the surface of our defense resources. lets not forget that we have the entire Department of Homeland Security working around the clock to figure out new and inventive ways of keeping us safe. We are a paranoid nation and maybe that paranoia is warranted, maybe it isn’t, but I think we can all agree that we haven’t needed a militia since Paul Revere.

Perhaps we can throw this question on the board as well, how many civilian gun users are actually part of a militia? I’m not talking about a few guys who like to shoot cans in their back yard I’m talking about a well regulated, registered, militia?

Consider this, the gunman in the recent Colorado Dark Knight Rises screening went out got himself an Assault Riffle, a Shotgun and a Nine Mil. pistol, put them in a bag walked into a theater and started shooting and until he pulled the trigger he hadn’t actually done anything illegal (Colorado is a carry and conceal state).

Will there always be a black market and a criminal element that will be able to get their hands on firearms? Yes of course, but is this enough reason to make obtaining firearms easier? Can someone explain this logic to me?

“The right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed” is a great soundbite but when paired with the rest of that statement it makes the idea of modern day civilian fire arm ownership look asinine.

“Guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” Right but I’m pretty sure I have a better chance dealing with a guy holding a led pipe or a knife then I do with someone pointing a semi-automatic weapon at me. Abolition of firearms in this country will never happen but the focus should be centered much more heavily on reduction.

I currently work in a profession where in order to achieve financial advancement I will have to eventually go out and buy a gun but if our law makers ever get their heads out of their asses I’d gladly give up that need.

We are so scared of losing our rights and put so much stock in our assumed “freedom” that we forget that the constitution is a living document designed to change with our needs and with our cultural evolution. The amendment process exists so that we can keep our constitution relevant. I’m not talking about giving away our privacy to protect us from enemies abroad (because it is a bit to late for that) I’m talking about making it harder for civilians to get their hands on tools of death and destruction.

Living in a gang neighborhood I’m not entirely certain I am comfortable with the idea of a total ban on civilian gun ownership when thinking about my own safety, but I do know that the people who shot up Prospect Park last week or Nostrand Ave a month ago would have probably gone to jail before they pulled the trigger had gun ownership been a bigger deal in this country. (If you are surprised you didn’t hear about these shootings don’t be. I live in a poor black neighborhood...CNN cameras don’t reach this far).

Put plainly, if Obama wants to come for my guns I’ll gift wrap them for him. Because guns are fun on a shooting range but if I want a cheap thrill I’ll hop on a roller coaster.


I love you all

KH-