Hang on to the right to defend ourselves

Ben Nejdl claimed that the Second Amendment is a relic of our past and is no longer needed because it was designed to grant citizens the right to defend themselves during the Revolutionary War (Fence Post, April 12). However this is an error, as the Second Amendment did not come into effect until after the war and after the Constitution was finalized. Furthermore, are we to believe that if attacked we do not have the right to defend ourselves unless government grants us the right to do so?

Also, back then there was no restriction placed on the type of arms that one could have. The founders had no problem with you owning the latest high-tech military grade weapons, even a flintlock rifle.

The founders realized that it was self-evident that all individuals have the right to defend themselves if they’re attacked, regardless of where they might be, and the Second Amendment gave them a means to do so. However their real concern was not that someone might be attacked by a thief or robber but rather if corrupt people gained control of government the people were to have the right and the means to remove them — even by force if necessary. A gun ban says you are giving up this right.

The idea that banning guns will prevent gun crimes is false; one needs only to look at those cities that have the strictest laws and you find they are also the areas with the most gun violence. Probation did not stop people who wanted to drink from drinking; our war on drugs has not stopped anyone who wants them from getting them. Gun bans have proved to be equally ineffective.

Richard Gideon

Schaumburg