As a result of decades of lobbying and propagandizing, the National Rifle Association has succeeded in implanting in American brains the fallacious notion that the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution authorizes unregulated, unrestricted access to most firearms. A particularly jarring example of this common misinterpretation of the amendment appeared in this space recently, “Does Norwich need a gun store?,” (Feb. 26). It was suggested there that retail gun commerce could be the beneficiary of some Second Amendment privilege, allowing it to occupy retail space where it is not welcome.

No such privilege has ever existed. It is not mentioned in the Constitution. It is unlikely that any gun store was in existence at the time the amendment was ratified. Norwich residents are surely unaffected.

What is also not in the Constitution? Any gun ownership privilege granted to any individual. Only militia members were to be protected, and only while in service. Militia membership was restricted, and their weapons were often controlled and/or furnished by the state. Such state militias no longer exist. Private militias are now illegal in 50 states. The amendment is irrelevant and moot.

Find hard evidence here: https://web.archive.org/web/20000816064706/https://www.saf.org/LawReviews/Bogus2.htm

Jim Nestor

Niantic