The Importance of the Second Amendment to the Individual

The following is a column I wrote that was recently published in the Johnson County Gazette:

While the Second Amendment has become one of the most controversial parts of the Constitution, I strongly believe in and support it!  It is our most important right because without it, we loose all the others.

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.

I believe that the Second Amendment gives me the right to keep and bear arms. Our founding fathers gave us the means to protect ourself and a way to defend our country.   Gun opponents believe it only applies to collective groups such as the police, the military etc.  The Bill of Rights was given to us to satisfy the many people who were against the Constitution because it did not effectively protect encroachments on particular rights.   Each Amendment first protects an individual’s right and some also protect individual as well as collective rights.  Why would the Second Amendment be the only one not to apply to an individual?  I challenge you to study our original historical documents and writings of the founders to discover for yourself that it is each individual’s right to keep and bear arms.  

I grew up around guns, but never gave them much thought until my husband and I began realizing that we as Americans are underhandedly beginning to loose many of our basic rights. As a result, my husband drug me kicking and screaming to my first handgun class.  After firing those first shots, I was hooked!  I am passionate about defending and protecting my 2A right and now serve on the board of the Kansas State Rifle Association.  I encourage you to support the Second Amendment by teaching your family about firearm safety, correct principles of marksmanship, the importance of continual practice, and defensive shooting techniques. Join second amendment supporting organizations such as the KSRA and the NRA and you will begin to learn what I have learned.  Whether your interest be hunting, collecting, target shooting or self-protection, join with me to maintain these rights.