In response to Jesus Estrada’s Nov. 7 letter: You argue that the Constitution doesn’t protect an individual right to bear arms by asking us to evaluate the context it was written in. Unfortunately, your only authoritative citation is from Chief Justice Warren Burger, who is removed from the context of the times by about 180 Years!

You fall into the revisionist trap of interpreting the language of the Constitution using modern definitions.

Militia does not mean “a body of troops, soldiers collectively”. The militia was not formed only for the defense of the states or the government. “Well-regulated” meant well-exercised, or trained to a high degree of efficiency and reliability.

Regulated did not mean controlled. A well-regulated militia would be one that possesses its own arms, is proficient in their use and in a state of readiness, and (by definition) not controlled or under the control of the government.

The principles of our society do extend beyond the Second Amendment and all the other amendments. But principles do not override our freedoms. Our Constitution is what defines our government, and the amendments define our freedoms.

Together they have defined our society over the years, and I hope for a long time to come.

Lee Van Brocklin

Staff

MacKay Hall