As a nation unique to the human experience, the United States was blessed with men who were gifted with a knowledge of the classics and the history of nations to that point; a history which, sadly, is given short shrift today.
The Bill of Rights was added (“amended”) to the Constitution in a successful effort to codify rights derived from nature (God) and originally thought to be assumed in the Constitution. This assumption was deemed untrustworthy, and so the Amendments. Good thinking!
With every right, each and every one designed to protect the private citizen from the government, comes responsibility.
My right to keep and bear arms should not be under attack. After all, it guarantees the First Amendment. My responsibility is to control my use of same.
The Second Amendment was written when everyone was familiar with firearms and safety in their use. Not so much today. The Concealed Handgun Permit law in Colorado requires that the applicant for same have received “instruction” in the use of the handgun.
Such training is perishable, should be reinforced, and should never be given lip service.
The applicant is required to demonstrate competence with a handgun. If the training does not include a firearm at all (did you just gasp?) (and there are such classes which are honored by the sheriff right here in River City) the student has not been responsible, and has certainly not demonstrated competence with a handgun!
E.T. Gwynn
Durango
