It’s the people, not the state

Sun., May 24, 2009

The Spokesman-Review

I am a little upset about the comments of Don Andrews (“Read the full amendment,” Letters, May 15). He obviously made his comment to Curtis E. Stone without knowledge of the true intent of the Second Amendment.

The “militia” referred to in the Second Amendment includes “the people,” not the state, as the militia. It was the intent of the founders that the militia consists of “the people” as referred to in other amendments in the Bill of Rights. This is well documented in the history of the Second Amendment.

I believe that Mr. Stone didn’t include reference to the first part of the Second Amendment because it was irrelevant to his argument.

Mr. Andrews, do your research before shooting from the hip and taking a position you can’t substantiate.

Wayne L. Schoonmaker

Wallace

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