What do YOU think the 2nd amendment means?

[Kaiser of Arabia]

The second amendement is the ONLY effective homeland security measure. Originally put in place because it was our Militias, not our standing army, that won us Freedom, it has endured as one of the most contraversial amendments to the constitution.

In it it clearly states that Militias are a nessessity for National Security. However, there are no real militias, so in modern terms the militia clause of the amendment is virtually meaningless. However, it does clearly state that the Government cannot infringe on our right to form and regulate civilian militias for the defense and protection of our nation and our freedom. However, the controversial part is as follows:

the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

What exactly does this mean? It's quite simple really. The right of the People of America to keep and maintain weaponry, for whatever purpose, shall not and cannot be infringed by the government of the United States. Therefore, according to the United State's constitution, we are all entitled and able to own a weapon with no government control, correct?

However, certain advocacy groups and leftist organizations have been trying to bar the private ownership and use of weaponry, even if such measures are unconstitutional. They cite gun crimes and murder rates in general, however, what they fail to realize is that such a ban would prevent:
A. Lawful citizens from defending themselves against Illegally Armed Criminals.
B. Hunters to make a living.
C. Any protection from an outside invader with the exception of the US military (i.e. No Immediate Protection) or from internal opression.
D. Any form of Security of Defense against foreign agents or aliens attempting to harm this nation from the inside.

Simple proof that such a ban would be inneffective on crime would be from the following:

Washington D.C. enacted a virtual ban on handguns in 1976. Between 1976 and 1991, Washington D.C.'s homicide rate rose 200%, while the U.S. rate rose 12%.
http://www.justfacts.com/gun_control.htm

Criminals will find a way around such bans, undoubtedly. However, such a ban would signifigantly lower the chances of a healthy, good-standing citizen to defend himself from crime. In fact, gun control worsens crime, while right-to-carry laws help prevent it. Proof?

Between 1977 and 1992, 10 states adopted right-to-carry laws. Dr. Lott's study found that the implementation of these laws created:

-- no change in suicide rates,
-- a .5% rise in accidental firearm deaths,
-- a 5% decline in rapes,
-- a 7% decline in aggravated assaults,
-- and an 8% decline in murder

for the 10 states that adopted these laws between 1977 and 1992
http://www.justfacts.com/gun_control.htm

Other interesting facts that support my argument.

* 221,443 concealed carry licenses were issued in Florida between October of 1987 and April of 1994. During that time, Florida recorded 18 crimes committed by licensees with firearms. (15)

* As of 1998, no permit holder has ever shot a police officer. There have been several cases in which a permit holder has protected an officer's life.

Florida adopted a right-to-carry law in 1987. At the time the law was passed, critics predicted increases in violence. The founder of the National Organization of Women, Betty Friedan stated:

"lethal violence, even in self defense, only engenders more violence." (13)

* When the law went into effect, the Dade County Police began a program to record all arrest and non arrest incidents involving concealed carry licensees. Between September of 1987 and August of 1992, Dade County recorded 4 crimes committed by licensees with firearms. None of these crimes resulted in an injury. The record keeping program was abandoned in 1992 because there were not enough incidents to justify tracking them.

Therefore, gun control is not only unconstitutional, it is counterproductive.

Edit: Fixed Links
Edit2: Fixed Spelling Error