Tuesday, Jan. 08, 2013

Richard C. Kevin: Bear these arms

Bear these arms

I offer a solution to the impasse between those who decry assault weapons and the gun rights advocates and constitutional strict constructionists who would hew to the letter of the Second Amendment and the intent of the framers at the time of the Constitutional Convention.

In the 1700s, the arms that the Constitution guaranteed the right to bear were single-shot muzzleloading weapons. Only with great skill, practice and training could they be fired, reloaded and fired again in less than 30 seconds.

I and many advocates of gun control would happily exchange the unconditional acceptance of the right to bear muzzleloading pistols, muskets and Kentucky long rifles for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

Richard C. Kevin

Cary