29 May 2008

Does the Second Amendment have racist origins?

Pro-gun types argue that the Second Amendment guarantees the right of citizens to own guns in order to protect themselves, their families, and their property from thieves, enemies, and/or a government run amok.

But in an essay in Mother Jones, Stephanie Mencimer cites historical evidence that suggests that the Second Amendment was actually passed in order to placate southern slave owners with a guarantee of their right to use firearms to defend themselves against slave rebellions.

Sadly, this information underscores how slavery was accommodated by our founding fathers. And we're still living with too much residual racism. But at least we've made some progress.

>> Read Mencimer's article: Whitewashing the Second Amendment

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