Why We Need the Second Amendment

                    "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 possession of arms by the private citizen is not only for defense against aggresive acts by criminals, but also as a hedge against unwarranted and/or unconstitutional acts by their own government.  Some have argued that since the government (or, the "state") is so powerful, any opposition to it would be suicidal. I don't agree.

(I am somewhat reluctant to post this.  I've worked long on this article, trying my best to keep it rational and moderate.  There may be some on both sides of this debate who will try to misconstrue what I am trying to say.  I hope my comments are not taken "unadvisedly or lightly...[but rather] advisedly and soberly...").

 The citizen should retain the ability to make the government carefully consider its actions.  If the difference between being armed and not being armed persuades the government to be prudent and judicious, then we as citizens must not cede that power to the government.

I once believed our nation would benefit if private ownership of guns was outlawed or severely restricted.  My rationale: If the kids can't play nice with their toys, the toys must be put away.  But over time I  realized I was not only wrong--I was dangerously wrong. That line of reasoning presupposes that every armed citizen is a potential criminal, and that the state always acts lawfully and virtuously. Both suppositions are wrong, and therefore I am unwilling to cede such power to the government.

Now, don't misread what I'm saying.  I am not an anti-law, anti-government type. I am not a survivalist. The citizen must also tread lightly and carefully consider his actions.  Possession of firearms must not be used as an excuse for lawlessness.

I don't anticipate a day that government forces will come to my house, and kick in the door, but the line between a free state and a police state is thin and fragile, and disarming law-abiding citizens moves the former a large step closer to the latter.

 The founding fathers were wise to write and include the second amendment to the constitution.  They were certainly aware of the difficulties and injustices presented by an overreaching government, because they were dealing with an overreaching government--that of England. They recognized that threats to freedom can come not only from outside our borders, but also from within.  So far, on this planet--in this nation--the ability to defend ourselves with arms is guaranteed not just by a document, but also by an armed citizenry with the potential to give weight to that document.