Trump, guns and Hilary

On May 7th at a WA State rally, Donald Trump stated "Hillary Clinton wants to abolish the Second Amendment." The implication is that if one votes for Hillary, she will take your guns away.

On May 7th at a WA State rally, Donald Trump stated “Hillary Clinton wants to abolish the Second Amendment.” The implication is that if one votes for Hillary, she will take your guns away.

That cannot happen. The President has no power to “take your guns away” or to violate any provision of the constitution. To take your guns away would require a constitutional amendment. Article Five of the US Constitution states only congress can “propose” a constitutional amendment in one of two ways: 1) by a two thirds vote (supermajority) of both houses of congress or 2) by calling a national convention at the request of two thirds of the state legislatures. If a proposed amendment is passed by either congress or a national convention, then it must be ratified by three-fourths of states in order for it to become a constitutional amendment. Proposing and ratifying an amendment is a difficult process, but, obviously, not impossible. Unless I missed something in my reading of Article Five, the President is NOT involved in this process other than, perhaps, expressing an opinion…and any citizen can do that.

We know where Trump stands on the Second Amendment… for the moment, at least. I have yet to hear any words from Hillary stating that she wants to abolish the Second Amendment. Asking for some rational and legal gun control measures is not the same as “taking our guns away” or abolishing the 2nd Amendment. That is an unfounded fear.

Unfortunately, politics often panders to the basest irrational fears of people in order to get votes. Running around the countryside fearfully screaming “Wolf !” is not going to make our country great. Let’s hope the American public can think a little more intelligently and not give into irrational fears, especially when it concerns guns, race, religion, immigrants and gender. Perhaps we should heed the words of FDR in his first inaugural address, when he said the “only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

Richard W. Wright