In the recent debate about gun control, hunting, assault weapons and the type of arms Americans should be permitted to own, the Second Amendment of our Constitution is referenced. The Second Amendment states, “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.”

There is no reference of guns for hunting, even though hunting was quite extensive during Colonial times. In those times, every free man was considered a part of the militia. Next is the really important part, for the protection of the free state (individuals rights) from government tyranny as was occurring at the time.

The framers of the Constitution and the first 10 amendments ratified Dec. 15, 1791, were all too aware of restrictive government on individual rights as the British government tried to impose on them.

Not every American today may feel the need for gun ownership, but history has shown us (the British in the colonies, Hitler in Germany) for a government to restrict individual liberty, the first step is to disarm the citizens. Does the president’s statement, “Gun control isn’t about the Second Amendment,” really ring with sincerity?

John Lee

Florence