This is a refreshing idea, honestly. Instead of duct-taping something that is inherently broken, throw it out and replace it. Like Prohibition. (The 18th Amendment) The 2nd Amendment is wrong, in that it is unclear. Wheedling details about interpretation and whether you are an Originalist or whatever, is stupid. Just throw the fucker out and replace it with something better written. Which will require debate. And discussion. And evidence. Which will eliminate the NRA's pet legislation that prevents any study of guns, in any way, shape, or form. It'll also break the moronic belief that the Constitution is some immutable document. This could be the most important result of repealing the 2nd Amendment: Make people remember that the Constitution has ALWAYS been mutable. It has ALWAYS changed, according to societal needs. We seem to be locked into an illogical, non-historically accurate, belief that the Constitution is perfect, as is. It never was. And, more importantly, it was never intended to be! It was supposed to change with the times. The founders knew that, and built the capacity for Amendments. So let's stop arguing a poorly-worded phrase. Throw it out, and start over, creating something that actually reflects society's beliefs today, and is worded unambiguously. Good on ya, Stevens. Way to continue being thoughtful and for meaningfully participating in this conversation.
I would argue that the 2nd Amendment is crystal clear: - 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. Thirteen of its 27 words deal with the necessity of defense in the absence of a standing army. It's the cock-eyed interpretations of said amendment since Wayne LaPierre arrived on the scene that have fucked everything up. As to your immutable contitution, that's also since Wayne LaPierre. We couldn't pass the ERA. I'm not hopeful for a repeal of the 2nd Amendment. I'm hopeful for a repeal of Wayne LaPierre.
Well then next time there is an open seat on the Supreme Court, I'll vote for you to be put there, rather than the dickholes we have now who believe that phrase is open to interpretation. And repealing 2A would also allow us to craft something in its place that reflected today's realities.
The idea of gun registration raises hackles because people have been sold two decades of slippery-slope bullshit from Wayne LaPierre. Does failing to register your car mean they can come take it? No. Does OPERATING an unregistered vehicle carry a penalty? Yes. Every single pro-gun argument falls immediately on its face. And I am a pro-gun owner with a concealed weapons permit. Tell me to go down to the range and get tested and register my guns, and I'll say, "Sure. I'll be there next week." Even better, provide a BuyBack program at the same time, so I can easily get rid of the guns I don't want, and get a little money from them, without worrying whether I am selling them to a nutcase, then even better ... I'll sell you three of my four guns. I don't know a single gun owner who WOULDN'T do this. It's Wayne LaPierre and his foreign-funded fuckwits who have fucked the conversation and derail it every time the conversation gets reasonable and logical.