Firearms are protected by Second Amendment

Re 9th Circuit upholds large-capacity gun magazine ban (Nov. 30): This decision essentially turns hundreds of thousands of people in California into felons for owning normal gun parts. A magazine is an essential part of a firearm and firearms are protected by the Second Amendment. The ability to defend yourself should not be limited by an arbitrary restriction put in place for political reasons.

Michael SchwartzExecutive Director,San Diego County Gun Owners PAC

The Second Amendment includes the phrases well regulated militia and right to bear arms. According to historians, the phrase to bear arms applies only to the military. Arming oneself can refer to individuals.

If courts believe the Second Amendment applies to individuals, then taken literally it means individuals have the right to any weapon considered arms by militaries, e.g., hand grenades, 50-caliber armor-piercing machine-guns, flame throwers, etc.

If courts rule one can only own guns for self-defense, then an assault-style rifle by its very name is not for self-defense.

Americans own more guns than any other advanced democracy and have a high murder rate, and almost every day there is another random attack in schools. Historically, several Supreme Court justices have stated, The Constitution is not a suicide pact. But the individual interpretation of the Second Amendment seems to contradict them.

Joel A. HarrisonNorth Park

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Opinion: The real meaning of the Second Amendment remains open for discussion - The San Diego Union-Tribune