I’m Canadian and see mass shootings in the media. I’m curious as to why this amendment hasn’t changed for 232 years.
Ask HN: Why did the 1791 Second Amendment protect the right to keep+bear arms?
1–10 of 17 posts
Re: Ask HN: Why did the 1791 Second Amendment protect the right to keep+bear arms?
#2“Mass shootings are incidents involving multiple victims of firearm-related violence. Definitions vary, with no single, broadly accepted definition.”
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_shootings_in_the_United...
Re: Ask HN: Why did the 1791 Second Amendment protect the right to keep+bear arms?
#3“Mass shootings are incidents involving multiple victims of firearm-related violence. Definitions vary, with no single, broadly accepted definition.” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_shootings_in_the_United...
Incident Year Location Deaths Injuries Type of firearm(s) used Ref(s)
Las Vegas shooting 2017 Paradise, Nevada 60 (plus 1 perp.)[fn 1] ≈ 867 (413+ from gunfire or shrapnel) Semi-automatic rifles (some outfitted with bump stocks), bolt-action rifle, and revolver [130][131][132]
Orlando nightclub shooting dagger 2016 Orlando, Florida 49 (plus 1 perp.) 58 (53 from gunfire) Semi-automatic rifle and pistol [130][131]
Virginia Tech shooting dagger 2007 Blacksburg, Virginia 32 (plus 1 perp.) 23 (17 from gunfire) Semi-automatic pistols [130]
Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting 2012 Newtown, Connecticut 27 (plus 1 perp.) 2 Semi-automatic rifle, bolt-action rifle, and pistol [130]
Sutherland Springs church shooting 2017 Sutherland Springs, Texas 26 (plus 1 perp.)[fn 2] 22 Semi-automatic rifle [131][133]
Luby's shooting dagger 1991 Killeen, Texas 23 (plus 1 perp.) 27 Semi-automatic pistols [130]
El Paso Walmart shooting 2019 El Paso, Texas 23[fn 3] 23 Semi-automatic rifle [134][135][136][137]
San Ysidro McDonald's massacre dagger 1984 San Diego, California 22 (plus 1 perp.)[fn 2] 19 Semi-automatic carbine, pistols, and shotgun [130]
Robb Elementary School shooting 2022 Uvalde, Texas 21 (plus 1 perp.) 18 Semi-automatic rifle [138][139]
Re: Ask HN: Why did the 1791 Second Amendment protect the right to keep+bear arms?
#4I’m not trying to diss USA, but are you going to protect this amendment?
Re: Ask HN: Why did the 1791 Second Amendment protect the right to keep+bear arms?
#5Changing the Constitution requires an overwhelming support [1]. The Constitution as it stands has too much support for a change to occur.
[1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/our-governm....
Re: Ask HN: Why did the 1791 Second Amendment protect the right to keep+bear arms?
#6 If circumstances should at any time oblige the government to form an army of any magnitude that army can never be formidable to the liberties of the people while there is a large body of citizens, little, if at all, inferior to them in discipline and the use of arms, who stand ready to defend their own rights and those of their fellow-citizens. This appears to me the only substitute that can be devised for a standing army, and the best possible security against it, if it should exist.
Re: Ask HN: Why did the 1791 Second Amendment protect the right to keep+bear arms?
#7I’m not trying to diss USA, but are you going to protect this amendment?
People forget the “well-regulated militia” part. Register all the guns so they can be called up at need for the militia. Why not place all of the militia, err, gun owners in the Guard and have they drill monthly and 2 weeks a year… This is what was intended as the aFounders were not fond of a standing army. They tended to oppress people and suppress liberties.
Re: Ask HN: Why did the 1791 Second Amendment protect the right to keep+bear arms?
#8I’m not trying to diss USA, but are you going to protect this amendment?
People forget the “well-regulated militia” part. Register all the guns so they can be called up at need for the militia. Why not place all of the militia, err, gun owners in the Guard and have they drill monthly and 2 weeks a year… This is what was intended as the aFounders were not fond of a standing army. They tended to oppress people and suppress liberties.
People don't forget that part, but people fail to understand that part. It's a fallacy to say that people can keep firearms only in regards to service in a state organized militia. This has been roundly rejected by all constitutional scholars of any merit. Those that espouse that point of view are not taking the statement in the context and time in which it was written.
Even if you do not support the conservative leaning of the current supreme Court it must be acknowledged that they do view things in a originalist intention. This is why they have rejected this point of view as it is completely incorrect.
Re: Ask HN: Why did the 1791 Second Amendment protect the right to keep+bear arms?
#9The 'militia' phrase is in support of the right. It doesn't begin and end there. It's one reason, an example?
Re: Ask HN: Why did the 1791 Second Amendment protect the right to keep+bear arms?
#10Earlier quoted context omitted.
People forget the “well-regulated militia” part. Register all the guns so they can be called up at need for the militia. Why not place all of the militia, err, gun owners in the Guard and have they drill monthly and 2 weeks a year… This is what was intended as the aFounders were not fond of a standing army. They tended to oppress people and suppress liberties.
People don't forget that part, but people fail to understand that part. It's a fallacy to say that people can keep firearms only in regards to service in a state organized militia. This has been roundly rejected by all constitutional scholars of any merit. Those that espouse that point of view are not taking the statement in the context and time in which it was written. Even if you do not support the conservative lea…
Guess you disagree with Mr Hamilton, eh?