The constitution wasn’t written on stone tablets and handed down to be used verbatim forever. That’s why we’ve had 27 amendments ratified and 33 approved by Congress.

For those who practice “originalism” I’d like to share this brilliant piece of advertising for gun safety that clearly shows the capacity of “arms” at the time of the constitution:

But, let’s look at the exact words of the 2nd 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.

I was a part of a well regulated Militia whose purpose is to protect this nation, it was called the US Army. Back then, there was no standing Army (and certainly no standing Navy, Marine Corps or Air Force or Space Force). The idea of “citizen soldiers” is how we beat the British, and the 2nd Amendment wasn’t ratified until 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights.

When I was in the Army, our weapons were stored in guarded armories under lock and key, except when training or in a war zone. It was rare that you ever had your weapon alone, creating an absolute “buddy system” of safety. When that buddy system breaks down as it did in the Mai Lai massacre, you have war crimes, not more rights.

I don’t believe that the domestic homicidal terrorists (please don’t use the words “active shooter” which are a white wash of what is happening) in Uvalde or Buffalo, were members of a “Well regulated militia” and therefore, had no right to bear arms. What we do know, is both murderers were 18, and bought a weapon of war and used it to wage one.

Guns are now the leading cause of death for children in America and here is an advertising stunt to show the impact.

And let’s be clear, arming teachers isn’t a good idea.

We armed and trained the police, and in Uvalde, the police stood their ground- and didn’t rush in to be the “good guy with a gun” despite that being their job.

I could point to other countries that after horrible mass shootings banned guns and implemented buybacks, or turn ins. (Note- gun buybacks in the USA aren’t what they are cracked up to be- see this NY Times article) I’m not going to take away your guns, but, what I do believe is in the following: weapons of war, belong in the hands of trained soldiers, who operate in groups, with training and supervision. Not, in the hands of geriatric citizens who walk into banks in Oakwood (photo was taken by me, Monday, Jun 27, 2016 at 4:32 pm). We don’t live in the wild West (yet) and we shouldn’t have to.

To maintain your private gun(s) in an Armory, you must pass a rigorous training program of at least 24 weeks (same as Army basic + AIT for infantry), and be supervised and evaluated by military professionals. Then, to keep your skills, you must train monthly, keep your weapons in the Armory, including required security guard duties, because the weapons must be guarded at all times. Your unit, must pay for the facility, the security systems, and carry insurance. You must pay for your own training, ammunition etc. You will not get paid for this service. If anyone in your unit, or any of the weapons are used in the commission of a crime, or for suicide, your unit will lose all rights for a period of a year and will be held financially liable for the crimes committed with your weapons.

Serving in the Army Reserves or National Guard remains the same and is not subject to any changes.

This would apply to all semi-automatic weapons and pistols. Unless you are police officer, or in your militia in uniform, in training, carrying a gun in public, using a gun- except for hunting (internal clip, manual rifles, 5 shot max, manual shotguns, 5 round max) guns will no longer be permitted to be kept in homes.

Upon election, I would immediately call for the “Equal protection of the 14th Amendment” to be used on existing gun control rules. The “Equal Protection from Gun Violence act” would require from now on, federal buildings, courthouses, federal facilities including VA’s, and military bases, the Capitol, the Supreme Court and the White House may not have rules against carrying weapons within their premises. Same goes for airports. If the right to bear arms is absolute, there can be no exceptions, or un-equal protection for the people in power. They should feel just as safe as we, the general public do, when at school, the supermarket, at a concert, at a movie theater, in a nightclub, etc.

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. ~the 14th Amendment

I also would introduce the Truth in Violence act– requiring all movies, TV shows, video games, that expose people to gun violence to be forced to abide by realistic standards. Every person shot- should be as realistic as possible- including the aftermath. There should be warnings that the program has graphic violence- and will not be suitable for children. At the end, the costs of medical care, rehab times, death and burial costs, court costs, prison costs to society- should all be tallied and presented.