A Proposed Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.

A proposed amendment to the Constitution, posted on February 14^th,  in solidarity with the students speaking out against gun violence and the need to ban assault weapons. It is a way to stand with them. On Saturday the 24^th I plan to march locally in solidarity with marchers all across the country.

I posted a longer article on thoughts on proposals for laws on gun control and if necessary a possible amendment to the Constitution at http://anglicanfuture.blogspot.com/2018/02/a-call-to-arms-this-time-weapon-of-vote.html    

At the time I thought several laws limiting the use of assault and automatic weapons might do it, but I’m coming to think that what is needed is a corrective that would bind the Supreme Court to an interpretation of the Second Amendment that would make it clear that the right to bear arms is connected to the desire to have a well regulated militia.  So, here is first a propose amendment, and then two possible laws regarding the use of assault and automatic weapons.

Of course there are issues of precision in language that need to be addressed, but the concern here is to broadly state the sort of things such an amendment might need to address or such laws need to include. Thoughts?

A proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America:

The right of the people to bear arms shall not be infringed, provided that bearing such arms is in defense of the security of a free state. The United States of America or the several states may license individuals, duly trained, to carry and use firearms for personal defense or for hunting,  sport or recreation.  The use of assault and automatic weapons is by this amendment reserved for use by members of Federal or State recognized militias in training for, or engaged in, combat or police action, and such weapons may not be bought or sold to individuals.

OR

Two proposals for federal law:

Regarding the use of assault weapons and weapons that fire automatically:

Persons who are members of a well regulated militia recognized by state or federal law may be trained to use the classes of weapons designated as assault weapons or weapons that fire automatically, and may use them in the line of duty related to their service in such militias. Such weapons must be registered by the militia to which the person belongs and may be assigned to specific persons for their use as members of the militia. No other sale, purchase or use of such weapons shall be permitted.

Regarding all other firearms:

Individual citizens, provided such individuals are registered as members of an organized and well regulated militia recognized by state or federal law, or who have been trained by such militias and duly licensed, may own and retain firearms for individual and household protection, excluding those designated as assault weapons or those that fire automatically. The right to such permitted firearms is understood as an extension of powers granted to militia in defense of the security of a free state, and may be limited by law.

Individual citizens, including those not registered as members of an organized and well regulated militia, may be licensed to use such permitted weapons for sport or hunting, provided they receive training on the safe and proper use of such weapons.