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The Second Amendment to the US Constitution reads, “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.”
This Amendment guarantees tremendous power to both the Militia and United States citizens. In 1791, the ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution were adopted safeguarding fundamental individual rights against usurpation by the federal government and prohibiting interference with existing rights. The wisdom of the Founding Fathers is attributed to the hand of Providence. Many statesmen made responsible decisions that led to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The Second Amendment addresses two specific categories--Militia and individuals.
In 1780, the fight for American independence from England was being lost. General George Washington suffered significant defeats in the North. The British realized this and decided to end
the American Revolution by attacking from the Southern Providences. Superb British military leaders such as Lt. Colonel Ferguson and Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarlton were sent to South Carolina to inflict devastating consequences on militia and crush any resistance. Their reputations as being ruthless tyrants had rallied ordinary people to mobilize into militia.
In October 1780 at the battle of Kings Mountain, South Carolina, backwoodsmen militia, proficient with rifles, surrounded and killed Lt. Colonel Ferguson and 125 experienced soldiers. The militia’s losses were 28 killed and 62 wounded. This tremendous success infuriated Colonel Tarlton, and in January 1781, he decided to attack General Daniel Morgan’s militia at Cowpens, South Carolina. Within one hour, the Battle of Cowpens was over. The British losses were staggering—110 dead, 200 wounded and 500 captured. General Morgan’s militia suffered 12 killed and 10 wounded. The success of this battle was the direct result of experienced militia who were able to kill the enemy redcoats with rifles at long range. These backwoodsmen were very familiar with hunting for survival but were now engaged in a conflict to protect their homes and families from a ruthless enemy. Their motivation and success was the turning point of the American Revolution.
The Second Amendment states: “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.” This is extremely important to individuals. History has always reflected the need for people to protect themselves. Over the centuries, a variety of weapons evolved such as the rifle and handgun. These weapons give security to responsible individuals. The Founding Fathers chose their words wisely. Today, those words have been under intense scrutiny and interpretation.
The recent massacre of 32 individuals on the campus of Virginia Tech was a tragedy. The country, stunned and horrified by this atrocity, asked, “How could this happen?” With little available information, there were calls for stiffer gun control laws from extreme gun control advocates who used this situation to perpetuate their agenda. This group represents a significant and powerful force threatening the Second Amendment. When the facts became available, it was learned that Virginia Tech had already adopted a gun-free-zone policy, which means bringing a gun on campus is an expellable offense. Why were off-duty law enforcement officers and citizens with legal right-to-carry permits denied their constitutional right to carry a firearm? If the policy was different, the massacre would not have happened. Most mass murderers choose vulnerable victims. The Virginia Tech campus was no exception. It is the most recent tragedy of mass murders at schools that have a gun-free-zone policy.
This past summer, I was chosen to attend the Eagle Forum Collegians Leadership Summit with Phyllis Schlafly in Washington, DC. Being surrounded by so many pro-Second Amendment leaders from Congress and the publishing field was energizing and exhilarating. The speaker who inspired me most was Kevin Gutzman, who wrote “The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Constitution.” He emphasized our personal rights as reflected in the Second Amendment.
In 1871, Providence again was with the United States in the establishment of the National Rifle Association. This patriotic organization is the vanguard of protecting our great nation. The Founding Fathers would appreciate its dedication of safeguarding the Constitution and Bill of Rights. I am proud to be a member of the National Rifle Association.
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Meghan Dowd submitted her third essay in support of the Second Amendment to the Jeanne Bray Scholarship Committee of the NRA. Earlier this year, she was informed that she was a winner for the third consecutive time for this $8,000 scholarship.
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