This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Constitution is a living document. There are limits on the First Amendment, as there should be. There should also be more limits on the Second Amendment.
When the Constitution was written, we did not have the Internet and related issues of child pornography. We agree to limit that kind of free speech without threatening the First Amendment.
When the Constitution was written, we also did not have rapid-fire assault weapons. The Second Amendment was written with muskets in mind, and in reference to a well-armed militia.
Today, one private citizen has the incredible capacity to kill dozens of people with an assault weapon, intended for military use, in less than a minute. This capacity is not necessary for self-defence.
Surely we can preserve the intent and rights of the Second Amendment while limiting the sale of assault weapons and multi-round ammo clips. An open conversation about these issues is an important part of the democratic process upon which this country is founded.
Maggie Laun
Salt Lake City