Dennis Thomas: Read the Second Amendment

We are surrounded and at times overwhelmed by the number of guns everywhere in this country. We are always told "we're just expressing our Second Amendment rights." Do any of these people know the Second Amendment? The 2nd Amendment states: "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."

The key to the Second Amendment is "a well regulated militia". This is according to Alexander Hamilton, the chief writer of this amendment. He thought each state should "maintain a well regulated militia.” Today we would call this "The National Guard.” This doesn't mean every Tom, Dick and Harry should be running around with a full military arsenal. That doesn't mean they can go into a crowded theater, school, or any other social gathering and destroy lives. That doesn't mean this type of intimidation should be tolerated in an open free society. This has become the worship of the gun culture. Unfortunately, those who advocate this behavior do not have the intelligence or morality to realize the depravity of their actions. How many must die?

This story was originally published July 15, 2016 at 12:46 PM with the headline "Dennis Thomas: Read the Second Amendment."