The second amendment was adopted in 1791. The Constitution does not define arms, but regulation on them is part of our Federal law. I interpret the second amendment as intentionally broad and meant to evolve in definition. The technology around the time of America’s founding includes
- Telling time accurately
- Toilets
- Stoves
- Electricity
Arms technology was relatively basic, of course.
Today, no one is ousting Deep State overlords with AR-15s and AK-47s. These are fantasies, just like bunker busting platoons with grenade launchers or launching fire barricades with Tesla flamethrowers.
Semiautomatic rifles (SARs) should be banned. The constant rebuttal is that if you ban guns then only criminals have them, and this is exactly right. If you have a semiautomatic rifle, you are a criminal. If it is your calling to grip that hot and smokey steel, Uncle Sam is happy to have you.
If you are too old to enlist, then you were just born at an unlucky time in history. The caveats are 1) legal gun options remain, and 2) all future versions of you can join the military.
The current 40+ crowd pays the biggest price from reform, because it doesn’t leave a legal option to shoot an SAR, and SAR target practice is a great source of leisure and excitement for many Americans. Regulated SAR ranges may end up being the most important debate we have, and I encourage compromise on it.
What guns should be legal? Semiautomatic pistols and shotguns do immense damage.
