Some gun advocates believe the purpose of the Second Amendment is to allow citizens to possess firearms in order to fight off a tyrannical government.
Let's assume this is true. I don't think our citizens will be able to fight off the highly trained and well-armed armies of the United States with just assault rifles. At minimum, they would require shoulder-held missiles to help negate the government's air superiority. This weapon helped the Afghan rebels fight the Soviet Union to a draw. I wonder if the National Rifle Association believes the individual citizen is guaranteed the right to possess weapons like these.
My solution to the gun control impasse is to replace the Second Amendment with a new amendment that would clearly spell out gun owners' rights in the 21st century. Hopefully, this would put to rest fears the government wants to end rights to own firearms. Also, it would elaborate common sense restrictions for the good of society. The downside is that may take years to be ratified by the required number of state legislatures.
ROBERT WASHBURN
Mechanicville