For weeks following the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, many people have discussed what the proper response or solution is to such tragedies. The popular narrative that you hear from politicians and media commentators is that America needs more restrictive gun laws. Some suggest that Congress must pass a law improving our background check system. Others go as far to say that Washington needs to ban certain firearms. Even some people like filmmaker Michael Moore have suggested that America repeal the Second Amendment. More specifically, Moore is recommending that Congress repeal the Second Amendment and replace it with a more watered down and narrow version.
You might laugh that some in our country want to repeal the Second Amendment and say to yourself “that’ll never happen in America.” I would urge caution against dismissing such rhetoric as if it’ll never happen. I believe we’re only a Democratic Congress and White House away from sweeping legislation that would extremely limit the right to bear arms. Regarding the possible banning of semi-automatic rifles, Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia said it was only a “starting point.” There are many other Americans who think the same way Michael Moore and Sen. Kaine do.
As this discussion continues throughout America, let’s look back at why our Founding Fathers included the right to bear arms in the Constitution. Our Founders came from Great Britain where they lived under tyranny. More specifically, prior to ratifying the Constitution, our Founders had just experienced a British invasion of the colonies in an attempt to prevent independence. Through a long-fought and well-known war called the American Revolution, the colonies defeated the British and gained independence. Not too long after this victory came the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. The Founding Fathers would not have been able to defeat the British had they not possessed firearms. To further express the Founders intent, here are some of their thoughts. George Mason said, “To disarm the people…[i]s the most effectual way to enslave them.” Thomas Jefferson said, “No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.” To read more about what the Founding Fathers thought about the Second Amendment click here.
Now that we have a flyover understanding of the right to keep and bear arms we can hopefully move on to discuss the real problem and solution when it comes to mass shootings. The main problem leading to mass shootings, specifically in America’s schools, is that many of our children come from broken homes missing either a mother or father. Homes where children receive little love and no discipline. Oftentimes children such as the accused murderer in Parkland, Florida are left with no one to care for them and they become very disturbed to the point that they act violently and in some instances cause harm and even kill others. Thus, the breakdown of the biblical family structure is at the core of this problem along with many other problems America faces.
Another problem as it relates to the school shootings is that America’s schools are largely “gun-free” zones. In 1990, Sen. Joe Biden introduced and President George H.W. Bush signed The Gun-Free School Zones Act. In my opinion, this law opened America’s schools up to criminals and thugs who wish to harm our students via the use of firearms. Now, in large part, the only people who carry firearms on campus are killers rather than certified, law-abiding gun owners.
Thankfully, Texas, Kentucky and other states are beginning to allow qualified teachers to concealed carry firearms on campus in order to defend themselves and their students. For example, a KY school district just passed a proposal that would allow certain qualified and trained teachers to carry onto campus. Under this proposal, the school district’s attorney would work with the local sheriff’s office to develop this strategy. Teachers who volunteer to participate would go through a thorough background check, drug test, mental exam, and must receive firearm training from the local sheriff’s department. In addition, the teacher must qualify with their firearm multiple times a year. To provide more assurance as to the safety of this program, the local authorities would conduct random audits throughout the year to confirm that the participating school employees are following all safety measures while carrying their firearm on campus. This is a model for the rest of the country. If a school district can afford to hire an armed officer or deputy to protect their students then that is excellent, but if a district can’t afford such protection then it is time we follow the Kentucky school district’s example and begin arming qualified school officials.
Blaming the Second Amendment, NRA, and law-abiding gun owners for the violence in our country is wrong and disingenuous. It is time all patriotic Americans prepare to engage in their own ardent defense of the right to bear arms.
