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On America’s Second Amendment

America’s Second Amendment was written into our Constitution in 1791 as a part of the Bill of Rights.

The amendment reads:

“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.”

According to various historians, the Amendment was a logical part of our Constitution. The nation just exited a war against the British and was pressing westward into new territories.

Historians also cited the British version of our amendment, which was established late in the 16th century, when Queen Elizabeth I instituted a national militia. That was reflective of individuals of all classes who were required by law to take part in defending the United Kingdom.

Many historians felt the American version was patterned after the British.

By 1800, the U.S. Census revealed America had 22 states and territories, along with the District of Columbia. The population was over 5.3 million. Today, America has 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five global territories. Our population nears 330 million.

Since the beginning of 2021, as of this writing, the Gun Violence Archive documented more than 180 firearm-related mass shootings (defined as four or more victims).

Those were a combination of fatal shootings, along with those causing injuries.

Earlier this May, seven people were murdered at a Colorado Springs birthday party.

Over the last 50-plus years, mass firearm murders have occurred across our nation.

In 1966, at the University of Texas in Austin, an Alpena Community College professor was killed.

Sadly, in years to follow, mass killings occurred at a San Diego McDonalds, a Walmart in El Paso, at a Boulder grocery market, at a Las Vegas outdoor concert, in various schools across the nation, including Sandy Hook and Columbine, and within several houses of worship, including those in Pittsburgh and Charleston.

The harrowing list includes hundreds of others.

I personally support the Second Amendment.

However, our nation’s size and population has significantly changed since the late 1790s. Not to overlook the vast array of firearms and ammunition now available,

At the federal level, reasonable and prudent laws need to be enacted ensuring public safety.

Any proposed laws must be conducted with input from gun owners, public safety leadership, those opposed to gun ownership, legislators, ethnic, racial, geographic diversity, and related audiences.

They first need to establish a mission of what they want to accomplish for the general populous’ safety and interest.

I can sense the growling and grumblings at this column. Indeed, this is an extremely hot-potato topic.

The beauty is, we live in a democracy and can enter a problem-solving dialogue.

Some proposals to reflect upon include:

∫ a computerized, nationwide background check system for the sale, purchase, or transfer of any and all firearms during a defined reasonable period of time,

∫ coupled to the background check system, a national, cross-checked background system to ensure the wrong individuals (for example, convicted criminals or mentally challenged) do not acquire firearms,

∫ a basic educational program to understand firearm safety and responsibility — after all, we do so for the operation of vehicles,

∫ and cease the sales of military-grade firearms and massive-magazine armaments, as well as “ghost guns”.

I am certain there are many other options and topics to consider.

America must move beyond thoughts and prayers to some level of firearm reform.

Jeffrey D. Brasie is a retired health care CEO and frequently writes historic feature stories and op-eds. He is a former Alpena resident and resides in suburban Detroit.

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