Arms and Other Rights

I appreciate your research for the article on guns. However, one line betrays a lack of understanding that was once a part of our education.

In the United States, there are no “government-granted rights.”

Way back when this country was created, there was a revolution of thought taking place in the Western World. It was called “The Enlightenment.” Of primary concern was that the Rights of Man were a birthright and not subject to the deliberation of others. With the leadership of the likes of Jefferson and Madison, a government was proposed that recognized the source of power was the people’s consent to be governed. That proposal, the charter for the U.S. government, was not enacted until it was amended by the Bill of Rights. These 10 amendments addressed the concern that the government created might misconstrue or abuse its contract and so declared further restrictions. Our government is supposed to be protecting and enforcing rights. It cannot grant rights that the people already possess.