How Many Children Must Die?

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed. – U.S. Constitution, Amendment 2.

Rock

Effective Range: As far as a man can accurately throw (approximately 90 feet).

Rate of Attack: Based on how long one can throw (stamina); how quickly one can throw; how many rocks one can carry.

Knife

Effective Range: 4 feet

Rate of Attack: Based on number of targets in proximity; how long one can stab (stamina); how quickly one can stab.

Club

Effective Range: 6 feet

Rate of Attack: Based on the number of targets in proximity; how long one can swing (stamina); how quickly one can swing.

Ax

Effective Range: 6 feet.

Rate of Attack: Based on the number of targets in proximity; how long one can swing (stamina); how quickly one can swing.

Bayonet

Effective Range: 6 feet.

Rate of Attack: Based on the number of targets in proximity; how long one can stab (stamina); how quickly one can stab.

Saber

Effective Range: 6 feet.

Rate of Attack: Based on the number of targets in proximity; how long one can swing and stab (stamina); how quickly one can swing and stab.

Flintlock Pistol

Effective Range: Less than 60 feet

Rate of Attack: One shot every 1 to 2 minutes.

Matchlock Musket

Effective Range: Less than 300 feet

Rate of Attack: One shot every 2 minutes, half of all shots result in a misfire.

Flintlock Musket

Effective Range: 300 feet

Rate of Attack: One shot every 30 seconds.

Kentucky Long Rifle

Effective Range: 360 feet

Rate of Attack: One shot every 60 seconds.

I am a patriotic American. I am a gun owner.  I am a hunter. I am an educator. I am an independent, split-ticket voter. I share this to add context to my argument.

I would like to remind the reader that the right to bear arms was not in the original Constitution. It was added later.  I point this out for those who like to argue “Founders Infallibility.”  The Founders recognized that the document they created, as a product of Man, was imperfect. As such, it could and should be amended.  Which means as times and technology change, that this is a patriotic discussion in the furtherance “of a more perfect union.”

In context, the second amendment was written at a time when free adults males were expected to be members of local militias to protect their community from external dangers.  It was written at a time when a firearm was incredibly expensive and rare.  It was written at a time when population density was much lower than today. It was written at a time when the sum total of all the forces at the battle of Yorktown would be the similar to the number of total fans that can be found at a decent high school football game today.  The simple truth is that the AMENDMENT ratified in 1791 was written for a radically different environment than the one we live in today. Realizing that they were fallible, the Founders expected that the Constitution to be examined and, as needed, amended. I would suggest that in regards to inexpensive instruments of rapid, high volume, extended distance killing, a rational examination of existing laws and policies is warranted.

I, for one, am tired of knowing that the regular killing and wounding of children by guns is considered an acceptable trade off so that anyone one can get any kind of gun they want, at any time they want, no questions asked.   

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

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