After every mass shooting, a debate rages over gun safety, gun rights, and the Second Amendment. But what does the Second Amendment actually say?

Amendment II

(ratified December 15, 1791)

A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.

That one-sentence riddle plagues our nation. But what does that sentence mean exactly?

The answer is in our American legal system, which can be its own riddle. The meaning of the amendments can change over time, even if the amendments themselves do not change. 

How’s that possible? The amendments themselves are not as important as how the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) interprets them. SCOTUS functions as both the guardian and interpreter of the Constitution. 

It comes down to this: The Constitution means what the Supreme Court says it means (a distinctly American concept), and SCOTUS changes over time. However, SCOTUS has left broad options for legislatures to regulate gun sales and types of weapons that are legal: "Most of the obstacles to gun regulations are political and policy-based, not legal; it’s laws that never get enacted, rather than ones that are struck down." So, a new amendment or even a 2A fix isn’t necessary to introduce gun-safety laws.

We, The People, can pass gun-safety laws.

Fast Facts About Gun Safety Laws

Here are four facts about gun safety laws you should know.

* Source

Let’s unpack some tools for discussing school violence and teaching both youth and adults about the Constitution and the Second Amendment. 

Explaining Gun Violence to Kids

Common Sense Media offers a guide on how to explain disturbing news to elementary, middle, and high school students. 

Interactive Constitution

College professors recommend this 5-star app for higher ed. Users can drill down on Articles and Amendments, making the Constitution seem less daunting.

iCivics

Over a dozen games cover core topics like citizenship, the Constitution, rights, the court system, governance, freedom of speech, and constitutional law.

It’s easy to devolve into despair with an onslaught of tragic news, but we implore you to rise up. We must move forward even if it feels like we’re starting over. Martian Luther King, Jr. reminds us “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope."

Canada quickly responded with new legislation following the Texas shooting that took place last week. The country expanded its background checks, banned 1,500 types of military-style assault weapons, started a buyback program, and required rifle magazines to be permanently altered to never hold more than five rounds.

Here’s what it takes to buy a gun in Canada:

• Obtain a firearm license (mandatory 28-day waiting period).
• Submit a photo and a signature of the photo guarantor.
• Complete multi-day gun safety course and pass written and practical tests.
• Complete background check which considers criminal record, mental health history, domestic violence history, and whether the applicant poses a risk of harm to anyone.
• Provide two references.
• Provide the signature of conjugal partners for the last two years. 

John Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions  - The Center combines the expertise of highly respected gun violence researchers with the skills of deeply experienced gun violence prevention advocates. The center uses a public health approach to conduct rigorous scientific research to identify a range of innovative solutions to gun violence.

Everytown for Gun Safety - An umbrella organization coordinating the activities of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and Mayors against Illegal Guns.

Sandy Hook Promise - SHP is a national nonprofit organization founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Organizations like SHP are lobbying, donating, and educating states and lawmakers on bills in motion, voter registration to vote out the majority party, and initiatives to improve schools and communities. 

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