In ruling on a case before them, judges should consider the legislative history, that is, the debate in Congress, of the law in question. I once heard a historian say that, if you considered the legislative history, that is, the writings of the nation’s Founders, the Second Amendment gives you the constitutional right to join the National Guard. Over the decades, judges and lawmakers have ignored the clause “a well-regulated militia,” and, through ideology or cowardice, have created a situation in which the country is flooded with dangerous weapons.
As a result, the gun manufacturers have their sales, the National Rifle Association has had its membership grow, the paranoid and gun fanatics have their arsenals, the lawmakers have their campaign contributions, and 20 children are dead.
This country is crazy.
Gretchen Starke
Vancouver
