“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.” Second Amendment to the Bill of Rights, December 15, 1791.

The people of the United States can still retain their Second Amendment rights and at the same time put common-sense protocols into place.

There is no need to reiterate the 2012 Sandy Hook shootings, recent Buffalo, Uvalde, and the June 5 murders in Philadelphia. The usual drum roll of arguments and justifications on both the left and the right continue unabated. Our culture of movies, TV shows, and video games has given tacit endorsement and glorification of violence over the last 3 or 4 decades. It has unquestionably influenced our culture. However, in the short term, steps can be taken to mitigate some of this violence.

The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States notes that we will “…provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare…” Can anyone deny this overwhelming failure in light of the continual slaughter of the innocents?

In addition, the Declaration of Independence stated we have been endowed with unalienable rights – Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Can anyone deny the overwhelming failure of our government to ensure “Life”?

When the Bill of Rights was passed in 1791, the average musket had a one-round magazine capacity and could fire three rounds per minute. Fast forward to the modern era, however, AR-15-style weapons can hold up to 250 rounds and can fire 45 rounds per minute. It should be pointed out that there was no police force among the 13 colonies at that time.

The intent of the founding fathers when passing the 2^nd Amendment was for citizens to be able to protect themselves from an unjust government and those representatives – NOT for them to use weapons on one another.

Just as the founding fathers could not have anticipated the creation of automobiles (with a minimum age requirement for usage), so they could not have anticipated out-of-control citizen gun violence in 21^st century America. Just as the founding fathers could not have anticipated the need for fishing and hunting licenses, so they could not have anticipated the need for regulation of fowl and precarious animal life. The State of Maryland requires a crabbing license in order to use crab traps, net rings, seines or trotlines. How much more should lethal weapons require regulation and licensing?

Four commonsense rules are set forth below:

1. No weapons of any sold to anyone under the age of 21;
2. Assault weapons complete ban (New Zealand has already instituted this in response to the 2019 shooting);
3. Comprehensive background checks on every buyer; any gun seller who violates this will  face fines and/or imprisonment;
4. License requirement for any gun owner or purchaser with annual renewals;

The above guidelines still allow adult citizens to keep and bear arms – this right is not infringed – it is brought up and adapted to the modern era. Until this violent culture changes, these guidelines must be given a chance.

Susan Chandran is a graduate of American University’s School of International Service and is a freelance writer in Maryland.