‘Well regulated’ should not be ignored

I am a big supporter of the 2nd Amendment in the Bill of Rights, which is why I do not want the gun show to continue to be held at the Glendale Civic Auditorium.

I do believe that citizens have a right to bear arms, but the government also has a duty to reasonably regulate ownership and sales of weapons.

Unfortunately, gun shows have become the biggest loophole in the regulation of gun sales.

The 2nd Amendment begins, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State...”.

The word “militia” has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to mean all adult citizens, not just those active in a state militia. Proponents of unrestricted sales and ownership of guns conveniently ignore the words “well regulated,” but it is clear that the founding fathers intended for the state to regulate arms.

The word “arms” in the Constitution does not refer only to guns, but includes everything from knives to nukes. Few would question that the government should regulate nuclear weapons or jet fighters, so why should guns be an exception?

Steve Mills
Glendale