It doesn't need to be amended, just interpreted correctly.  The exact wording of the second amendment is, "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".  The intention was to allow the keeping and bearing of arms to be done exclusively in the context of a well regulated militia for the security of the state.  We can know this with absolute certainly because that's what it says in plain English.  Random yahoos keeping guns in their house is not well regulated, not a militia, and not involved in the security of the State, so absolutely, 100% is NOT allowed under the second amendment!  Individuals keeping arms outside of a militia is not covered by the constitution so should be left to the states.

This amendment was added most likely because the Revolution was fresh on the minds of the framers.  In 1791, the U.S. did not have a large, professional military like now.  In the event of an external threat (like the British), the military was augmented by militias organized by the states.  Most arms, powder and shot was stored at community magazines and would be issued to the militias when needed.  In 1774 and 1775 the British raided the magazines in the Massachusetts and Virginia colonies to try to prevent armed rebellion.  I think these events in part were what stimulated the Founders to add the second amendment.

The modern equivalent of a 1790s militia would be the National Guard, and so far nobody has talked about disarming them.  That is what is protected, not individuals owning guns outside of a militia.  Firearm ownership outside of a militia is not mentioned by the Constitution, so on that issue it is silent.  In the 1790s firearms were mostly flintlock muskets, which require a powder cartridge rammed in the barrel that is ignited by a flash of gunpowder started by a spark from flint hitting steel.  Guns were made by hand, so were not easily available and quite expensive - your average citizen certainly would not have owned one unless they needed it for hunting.  Keeping a lot of gunpowder in houses that were lit and heated by open flames was not a great idea, hence the communal magazines for the militias.  The Founding Fathers were very reasonable in most of their beliefs, and I am quite certain they would be appalled at how their words have been misconstrued to facilitate the rampant killing in this country.  It is a shame that one organization has been able to buy off so many members of Congress and get like-minded numbskulls appointed to the "Supreme" court to foist this travesty on the rest of us.  We don't need to amend the constitution, just read what is written and understand its historical context.  Unfortunately, that seems impossible so maybe it is time for the people to take back the country and rewrite that amendment in a way that could not by misinterpreted.

In Australia, after a series of shootings they put restrictions on gun ownership in 1996 and problems since then have dropped to almost none.  The American people need to be as sensible as the Australians.

The police killings of course are an entirely different matter and a very difficult problem.  Obviously the police do a very difficult job and have to make life-or-death decisions in a split second.  If they hesitate they might be killed.  On the other hand, it is quite clear that the police have been literally getting away with murder probably going back thousands of years and that needs to stop.  Finding the right balance so the police can protect themselves (and us!) while making sure those who cross the line are identified and punished is more difficult.  More cameras and a mandatory review plus a thorough psych evaluation of every cop who shoots someone (to identify any potential psychopaths) would be a good first step.

Quote from: KarenH on June 30, 2016, 14:34

Quote from: Mantis on June 30, 2016, 14:33

I'm banned from SS forums. Can someone go poke their head in and see if admins are chiming in and repost back here?

There are four threads going on in there on this topic, but so far no admins have chimed in.

Thank you.