The 18th century is often referred to as the “Age
of Revolutions”—and with good reason. The world was changing fast during that
time (the Industrial Revolution was in full swing), and people across
the globe struggled to find a place in the shifting society.
The American colonists were among those who didn’t want to
get lost in the shuffle. In 1776, they declared independence from Britain following years of frustrating taxes and virtually no representation. It was a
bold move, but the American people decided that they had to make a final stand
against the elite rulers of the “Mother Country,” or they were going to be the
victims of abuse for generations to come. History shows that they made the
right decision. America overcame the power of the King and Royal Army, and
gained its independence following the Revolutionary War.
Inspired by the newfound freedom of the United States, the people of France decided to wage a little war on their own ruling class. In
1789, the French citizens—most of whom were poor, starving, and
frustrated—rebelled against the monarchy and expelled King Louis XVI from the
throne. After the French Revolution, Napoleon rose to power in the battered
nation and proceeded to reek havoc throughout the rest of Europe.
The revolutions of this time period were often waged by the
common man who was frustrated by the neglect and mistreatment of the ruling
class. When the monarchy and elite governments were overthrown, careful steps
were taken to prevent the government from ever regaining too much power. This
was most effectively done in the United States, where the Constitution defined
a democratic system of government, which maintains control through a series of
“checks and balances” (each branch of government—executive, legislative, and
judicial—needs to seek the approval of the other branches before it takes
action). Drafted in 1787, the American Constitution is still being used
today.
Soon after the Constitution was written, a series of
amendments was added (known as the “Bill of Rights”) to define the basic
rights of citizens, in hopes of preventing future governments from denying
these rights The first amendment defined the basic freedom of speech, which is
important for any society to thrive. The second amendment was equally as
profound, and it was extremely important during the “Age of Revolution.” It
protected a citizen’s right to bear arms (or, in simpler terms, the right to
own a gun).
Over the past two centuries, the second amendment has come
under a wide range of attacks. Doesn’t a constitutional amendment allowing a
person to own a gun make it easier for criminals to get guns? The answer—yes.
Wouldn’t less people be murdered if the government didn’t allow people to have
guns? The answer—possibly. Isn’t it silly, in today’s more civilized society,
for the Constitution still to protect a citizen’s right to own a gun? The
answer—no.
A common argument used by advocates of the 2nd
amendment is that it protects the right of hunters and gun enthusiasts to own
guns. This was not the original intent of the amendment, nor would it be seen
as a valid argument at the time. The amendment was created to allow people to
protect themselves from the federal government and any other foreign invaders (this
could be anything from robbers to terrorists to foreign armies). Whether
or not citizens could hunt for recreation was a very small concern.
Gun control is a very sensitive issue, and one that can—and
will—be argued by politicians, lawyers, and other scholars. It is important,
however, for everyone—both supporters and critics—to understand why the 2nd
amendment was created in the late 1700s. It didn’t have anything to do with
hunting or gun collecting. It was for protection—specifically protection from
the federal government. People living in the 18th century (whether
it was in the American colonies, France, or in other parts of the world),
usually resented the heavy hand of the powerful monarchies of the time. Even in
today’s more “civilized” society, this threat of a government abusing its power
always exists. That is why the Constitution (2nd amendment
included) is still so highly regarded after more than 200 years.
