“Shall Not Be Infringed” – What Does That Really Mean and is the Government Already in Violation?

The United States Bill of Rights consists of the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution. The Second Amendment (2A) reads as follows:

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

Bill of Rights Dec 15, 1791 (First 10 Amendments)

In a comment to one of my recent articles, a reader cited the formal definition of the word infringed. I have to admit I’d never actually looked up that definition, but when I did, I found the following from Merriam Webster:

“to encroach upon in a way that violates law or the rights of another”

Consider the Second Amendment.

Some focus on the prefatory phrase “a well regulated militia” and insist the 2A protects a collective right of the states to form armed militias. That’s quite a stretch considering the other nine amendments specifically focus on individual rights.

Most Americans understand that “the right of the people to keep and bear arms” means just what it says and refers to the right of an individual. It’s worth pointing out that the 2A does not create the right to keep and bear arms but instead prevents the government from infringing upon that right. The right of self-protection is a natural right of all people and firearms are an integral part of that.

Does our government infringe on our 2A protected right? Let’s take a look.

In California:

• The California Handgun Roster prevents citizens from purchasing handguns that are in common use across America
• Law-abiding adult citizens between the ages of 18 and 21 are barred from purchasing firearms
• Open carry of firearms is illegal and concealed carry permits are difficult or impossible to get for many Californians
• The most popular modern sporting rifle in America is mischaracterized as a “weapon of war” and its possession and use is severely restricted

The above are just four examples of government infringement on our 2A protected right to keep and bear arms. There are many more.

When the government bans common firearms or makes their purchase unnecessarily difficult for law-abiding citizens, that’s infringement. When exorbitant fees or taxes are levied against firearms and ammunition, that’s infringement. When firearms related businesses are overregulated and heavily taxed, that’s infringement. When law-abiding citizens are severely restricted from having a firearm for personal protection when out in public, that’s infringement.

Our country has three separate branches of government for a reason. We are a country of laws and our laws should be guided by our Constitution. It’s time for the Supreme Court to step up and make it clear that the rights protected by the Constitution, all of them, shall not be infringed.

The right to self-defense is a basic human right. Gun ownership is an integral part of that right. If you want to keep your rights defend them by joining San Diego County Gun Owners (SDCGO) in San Diego, Orange County Gun Owners (OCGO) in Orange County, San Bernardino County Gun Owners (SBCGO) in San Bernardino County or Riverside County Gun Owners (RCGO) in Riverside. Support the cause by listening to Gun Sports Radio live on Sunday afternoon or on the internet at your leisure. Join the fight and help us restore and preserve our second amendment rights. Together we will win.

©2020 Joseph T Drammissi