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Date published: 3/24/2006
Some people desperately want to believe that the Constitution gives them carte blanche regarding gun ownership, while at the same time pretending that this somehow makes them part of a "well-regulated militia" ["Confused about Second Amendment? Blame Congress," March 6]. True, we once had a civilian militia and it did win a couple of battles, but gun owners then had just as much repugnance for government regulation as they do now, and the idea If it had been a success, our country would be defended by a "well-regulated militia" today, wouldn't we? It's true, as letter-writer Kenneth Baylor said, that the Swiss have a very successful civilian militia, but service in it is compulsory, along with drills, training, and a hierarchy of command; and while its conscripted members are allowed to keep their government-issued weapons at home, their ammunition is stored separately at military bases. That is certainly a "well-regulated militia," but I somehow don't think this is what American gun owners have in mind or would put up with for one second. I'll reiterate what I said before: I believe Americans have a right to own guns but that the Constitution does not unambiguously guarantee that right--something those who balk at the word "well-regulated" would like to ignore. Ron Miller King George
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
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