| Keeping a rifle or pistol safe is perhaps an obvious | | | | who intend to do harm, or are irresponsible, is an |
| commonsense obligation of anyone who chooses to | | | | obvious problem. However, in countries like Australia, |
| own a gun. And while the Second Amendment of the | | | | where gun ownership by individuals has been |
| US Constitution provides a statutory basis for gun | | | | restricted or even taken away, statistics show an |
| ownership in America, it does not outline how those | | | | increase in violent gun crimes. This may seem |
| guns are to be kept. The right to keep and bear | | | | counterintuitive to some people, so it is something to |
| arms is a controversial topic that sparks lively | | | | think about. A system of authorized gun ownership, |
| debates in homes and public forums around the | | | | and whether one keeps their pistol safe or not, does |
| country. Is the meaning of the Second Amendment | | | | not seem to deter those with evil intent, or are too |
| properly interpreted to be that individuals are | | | | stupid to properly secure their weapons. |
| guaranteed the right to possess and carry a wide | | | | While it appears now that it is highly unlikely that the |
| variety of firearms? Or, was the Amendment meant | | | | right to own and bear arms will ever be taken away |
| only to guarantee States the right to operate militias? | | | | from the US citizenry, it seems like the next best |
| There is a long history of legal interpretation on these | | | | thing those in opposition can hope for is educating |
| questions, which I won't go into here. Interpreting the | | | | people about more responsible gun ownership. If guns |
| Founder's intentions is not my purpose. Just let me | | | | can be owned by individuals, then there should be no |
| say that I am content to abide by the US Supreme | | | | logical opposition to educational efforts that teach |
| Court's 2008 decision, in District of Columbia vs. Heller, | | | | gun owners to keep their rifle, shotgun or pistol safe. |
| which struck down a Washington, D.C. ban on | | | | As in many areas, education can be the path to a |
| individuals having handguns in their homes. Justice | | | | tolerable situation that everyone can live with. |
| Scalia found the right to bear arms to be an individual | | | | Some closing thoughts: If you own a weapon, then |
| right consistent with the overriding purpose of the | | | | learn to use it properly. Consider taking a class, and |
| Second Amendment, to maintain strong state militias. | | | | learn how to use your guns the way you should. If |
| It would have been nice if the Court had announced | | | | you have rifles or other long guns, put them under |
| some sort of standard of review to apply in future | | | | lock and key. If you own a handgun then get a pistol |
| challenges to gun regulations, but at least it did say | | | | safe. There are lock boxes, biometric safes, and |
| that its decision should not be seen as casting doubt | | | | other technologies that make securing your guns |
| on laws restricting gun ownership of the mentally ill or | | | | safe and still easily accessible. It's great to exercise |
| of felons. | | | | your right to own a gun, especially if you do so in a |
| The concern of those who oppose gun ownership is | | | | safe and responsible way. |
| not entirely unfounded. Guns in the hands of people | | | | |