The logic of the Second Amendment

To the editor: It has been charged that the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision reversing the Washington, D.C., ban on handguns was "a case of judicial activism" and even an offense against logic. This simply is not the case. The "well regulated militia" clause is indeed a type of qualification. It is an affirmation. The question is, "Is a militia necessary for the defense of the nation?" and the Framers decided yes. The militia that was in the mind of these men of the late 18th century was one of individual citizens providing their own equipment in the same manner as colonial militias that served successfully in the Revolution. The logical statement of relevance is the "if-then" (conditional) statement. If a militia is necessary, then the right to bear arms shall not be infringed. A militia is necessary. Therefore, the right... [read full story]