Editor,
The May 26 "Viewpoints" commentary, "Trust me: you believe in gun control," by Tina Dupuy, had several fatal flaws. "The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed," is not just an NRA "slogan;" it's in the Constitution.
The Declaration of Independence states: "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights." Self-defense of life, liberty, and property, is one of those "endowed," "self-evident," "unalienable rights."
President John Adams said: "Arms in the hands of the citizen may be used at individual discretion for the defense of the country, the overthrow of tyranny, or private self-defense."
Samuel Adams stated: "The said Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to...prevent...peaceable citizens from keeping their arms," which is an indispensable part of America's national defense. The Japanese military didn't dare invade America's mainland during World War II; America's civilians were too well armed. The Constitution prohibited a permanent federal "standing army," mainly because of the danger of the government establishing a military dictatorship. Congress is authorized to provide a permanent Navy and Air Force as a primary defense against invasions.
After quoting another Second Amendment clause: "A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State," Dupuy took the word "regulated" out of context claiming that it authorizes Congress to "regulate" privately ownership firearms, apparently unaware of the historical background and original intent the amendment was based on. Every local colonial community was armed to the teeth; an extremely effective deterrent to crime and foreign invasions. Civilian soldiers were essential to winning the Revolutionary War
A "well-regulated" militia meant a well-trained, disciplined, and organized militia for national defense, not authorization for Congress to pass gun control laws.
"Gun control" preceded the military dictatorships of Nazi Germany, communist Russia, China, and Cambodia. Unarmed civilians murdered by their own governments during the 20th century are estimated to exceed 262 million
several times those killed in wars. The threat and horror of tyranny is far greater than civilian crime, especially without gun controls.
Walter Winters
Ogden
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