In a novel by Umberto Eco, a character comments on the long list of rules imposed on the Knights Templar in the Middle Ages. “From prohibitions you can tell what people normally do. It’s a way of drawing a picture of daily life.”
It’s not surprising that the national debate on gun control has escalated, so this might be a good time to review why the Bill of Rights, including the right to bear arms, is important. The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution – the Bill of Rights – have afforded Americans with unprecedented freedom. First on the list is freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The Second Amendment allows individuals to own firearms. The Fourth and other amendments guarantee due process; authorities need a good reason to search citizens or their property, people can’t be arrested and held for unreasonable amounts of time without cause, and those who are charged with a serious crime have the right to a trial and an attorney.
After horrific events, some Americans have been willing to forego some of their rights in exchange for security. After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the rights outlined in the Fourth Amendment were eroded by the Patriot Act.
Likewise, major gun control acts often follow events in which crimes were committed with guns. The National Firearms Act of 1934 came after an increase of gangster violence, including the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in 1929, and specifically targeted scary guns, which were labeled “gangster weapons.” Today, military looking guns with the same features as some hunting rifles are labeled “assault weapons” as the attempt to remove them from individuals’ hands is renewed.
The fact is, every right we claim as Americans can be and has been abused at some time, even to the loss of life. Should we ban fanatic preachers? Jail suspicious characters? Remove all guns – even toy guns – from store shelves, and bring back Prohibition, for good measure? Should we put armed guards and Bibles in every classroom?
We can give up our freedoms, but that won’t stop evil.