I read with great dismay the column entitled “Second Amendment could handle a little interpretation” by Matthew Greenley.

It is probably not the fault of this student as education, or rather lack thereof, is one of the things that has allowed collectivist thought to once again grow in our country.

Making light of one of our most precious rights might be fine for the “Saturday Night Live” crowd, but in the real world it is liberty’s teeth that has allowed us to flourish as individuals and a nation.

The purpose of the Second Amendment can be summed up in one word: defense.

Defense from foreign invasion, defense from criminal attack, but most importantly defense from governmental tyranny and despotism.

Has the school taught the students that the term “well-regulated” in the 1791 dictionary means “in proper working order” and not government control?

Has the school taught the students that upon achieving the age of 17 through age 45 we are all members of the militia and that the National Guard is not the militia?

Maybe a few words from a founding father will help.

George Mason said at Virginia’s U.S. Constitution ratification convention in 1788 that “[W]hen the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British Parliament was advised by an artful man, who was governor of Pennsylvania, to disarm the people; that it was the best and most effectual way to enslave them; but that they should not do it openly, but weaken them, and let them sink gradually. I ask, who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers.”

George Washington said “The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference — they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good.”

Daniel Webster said “God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it.”

There is a library full of quotes such as these because nearly all of the founders wrote and spoke on this subject from a world history of experience as to what happens when the people are not armed.

I beseech all of the students to study the Federalist Papers, the Anti Federalist Papers, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.

Without a full education on our founding, you will be forsaking the freedom you now take for granted. If you have been told that our form of government is a Democracy, you better read the Federalist papers quickly for the founders held Democracy in great contempt. We are a Constitutional Republic.

When you reach the point where you can sit down and put to words the definition of what constitutes a right, you will have an education that is well-regulated.

John Campbell

Resident

Bakersfield, Calif.