If I were to suggest an amendment, it would be a clarification of the language of the 2nd. One of the biggest issues with the right to bear arms, in my mind, is with people's understanding of its purpose.
- Some believe it was intended that the US have no standing army, but that regular citizens would take up arms in defense of the nation if/when necessary, and as such it was essential that the populace be able to possess armaments to that end.
- If this is the case, then the fact of the US having a standing army means that the second amendment is no longer valid, because the intended purpose is no longer necessary.
- Others believe that it was understood that the US would have a standing army, and as such it was essential that the populace be able to possess armaments in order to potentially protect themselves from a corrupt and overreaching government
- If this is the case, then the size and might of the US government demonstrates that the second amendment is absolutely necessary
In my mind, it is incredibly difficult for various sides of the gun debate to actually communicate because they interpret essential elements of the debate in completely different ways.