Second Amendment is outdated

The Second 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." Really? A well-regulated Militia being necessary of a secure free State? That idea has absolutely no justification in 21st century America.

The great American social movements against a tyrannical government accomplished their goals through the legislature and the courts, not through the barrel of a gun. Rosa Parks and Dr. King didn't have a FOID card and didn't carry a CCL. The suffragettes weren't a well-regulated militia. A brave 17-year-old young woman used a 21st century tool to video the government's knee on the neck of a citizen, George Floyd. She didn't use a gun to attempt to bring justice. Historically the Second has made us less safe, less secure. It needs to be repealed.

There is not one activity that we engage in outside our homes where we are not subject to a mass killing and gun violence. Worshipping, shopping, working, playing, education; you name the activity, there's been a mass killing.

Until the Second is repealed, gun rights proponents will hide behind the false security it proposes.

Our society needs to have an honest, fair, thorough national conversation about our relationship with guns. All the stake holders need to be at the table. But a conversation like this can't produce any meaningful results with the Second Amendment elephant in the room.

I'm reminded of the words of Robert Kennedy when he said "there are those that look at things the way they are and ask why? I dream of things that never were and ask why not?"

Why not? Repeal the Second.

Phil Heil

Huntley