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By: Charles W. Boatright
How The Idea of Our Republic is Contained in the 2nd Amendment
The 2nd Amendment in the Bill of Rights demonstrates how our form of government, a Republic, functions on a particular issue. While the Republic form of government recognizes the consent of the majority, it also recognizes the right of the individual.
This was demonstrated in a situation where Thomas Jefferson convinced James Madison, who were originally against adding the Bill of Rights, to later agreeing to and actually drafting the Bill of Rights. Without adding the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution, the U.S. Constitution would have faced opposition among the 13- States and would not have been ratified.
The Bill of Rights reflected what the Framers intended that our government to be, a Republic, weighing the consent of majority with the individual rights of the minority and making sure both were heard. Democracy was based on the rule of the majority. A Republic has mechanisms, like the Electoral College, in places where the minority rights are a factor. A Republic encourages an exchange of ideas, debate, and persuasion, instead of seclusion or exclusion of such rights.
This concept of a Republic weighs and balances the interest of the majority, represented by the militia with those of the minority, or the individual demonstrated perfectly in the 2nd Amendment, listed below. Because these are two distinct functions:
Amendment II
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.
Just the debate over the Bill of Rights by the Framers showed the advantages the Republic form of government had over a Democracy. Just the letters from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, who originally opposed the Bill of Rights, actually persuaded James Madison to not only support the addition of the Bill of Rights, but to actually draft them.
The Bill of Rights was added to address individual rights that a Republic encompasses! Even the 2nd Amendment underscores this balance between the militia and the individual’s ability to protect and secure rights that we enjoy. We are fortunate that our Framers had the wisdom to use the Republic-type frame- work that is represented by the first two Amendments of the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution.
The First Two Amendments to the Constitution
The first two Amendments of the Bill of Rights provide the protection and security of the individual’s right to have the ability to express their faith, and to state their opinion in public with the freedom of religion, speech, and in the press, and the ability to assemble to exercise these individual rights without harassment, but with a spirited debate.
A great case to support the 2nd Amendment is Portland, Oregon last year when a conservative reporter was accosted for reporting on ANTIFA. This reporter was accosted while authorities stood by without rendering aid or protection for the reporter doing his job. This is the very reason we have the 2nd Amendment. We can’t rely on our local government for protection. One reason it might not be an issue that they support.
What is really disconcerting today is the suppression of these rights, especially on college campuses where professors who are supposed to encourage free exchange of ideas and view points are leading the movement to censure and suppress these rights of the individual.
The very reason that we are the most prosperous country in the World is the ability to debate, exchange, and express our individual opinions in public and to debate these issues on the merits with respect for each other, without concerns of being threatened.
Here’s a key, if you’ve got the history and facts and the better argument, you don’t have to resort to suppression and censorship to bolster your arguments. And if you want to win a debate, know your history and facts of the matter, regardless if you’re in the minority or the majority. This goes back to the first statement in the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
One thing to remember about a debate is that you might not win over any converts or even persuade others to consider your arguments then, but with the consistent exchange of ideas and the course of events, heart and minds can be changed later. Look at what happened in the Democrat control South that supported Slavery and Segregation, Look how our nation regarded the fact that all men are created equal.
This lead to the Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Lincoln and to the Civil Rights movement by generations that placed Risk before Reward that has allowed every citizen to have opportunities to participate in our great Republic. This didn’t happen overnight, but it took decades of changing minds and attitudes.
This is the every reason why the Framers drafted the Bill of Rights with the First and Second Amendments being listed first in that particular order to proclaim your rights, followed by being able to defend and secure the same. The 2nd Amendment, while it does cover the use of arms for sporting and competition, its main purpose is the protections of all the rights in the Bill of Rights.
So when you look at the 2nd Amendment, it isn’t the case where the Framers were addressing the need of either majority in a militia or the individual, but weighing the needs of the militia with those of the individual having the right to protect and secure their liberties and freedoms.
Show Your Support for Our 2nd Amendment
You Can Show your Support for the 2nd Amendment by US WINGS® 2nd Amendment A-2 Cape Buffalo Leather Jacket that I carry in my online Store with either the embroider or Hand-painted 2nd Amendment Patch that I design to support the protection and the support of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.
The Southern Heritage Air Foundation Raffle for the 2nd Amendment US WINGS® A-2 Cape Buffalo Leather Flight Jacket
Starting in March through the mid-part of April when the drawing will be held, The Southern Heritage Air Foundation will be holding a Raffle for the 2nd Amendment A-2 Leather Flight Jacket, a $470.00 value. Proceeds from the raffle will go to the support and operations of the Museum that has operational aircraft including the P-51 Mustang (Charlotte’s Chariot II). You can purchase an E-Raffle Ticket by going to the Southern Heritage Air Foundation website. The picture of the 2nd Amendment A-2 Flight Jacket is featured in the above photograph and the Southern Heritage Air Foundation Museum hangar is featured below:
If you are in Northern Louisiana, South Arkansas, or Central Mississippi, this is a must see museum that also offers rides to those that have never flown in a World War II-style aircraft. You can purchase your Boarding Pass below. Just have several dates available where the Southern Heritage Air can schedule the pilot and aircraft.
Also Check the Calendar of Events below at the Southern Heritage Air Foundation:
