The American 2nd Amendment is an outdated piece of sh**

Thank you for accepting this challenge! It is a glorious day for an epic debate battle!!! INTRODUCTION The 2nd amendment is not unique to the American constitution. It was copied from British Common Law, which saw it fit to let the population arm itself against religious persecution. In constant war with its neighbors, the British started to utilize the well-armed citizenry as auxiliary to its military. Right to bear arms has since become a necessary provision for the security of thefree Empire. As a British Colony, America adopted the provision in recognition that a militia can come to the aid of the state, and hence, it stated - 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. The 2nd amendment has since morphed to include manyinterpretations - Defense of Liberty Provide additional security for the state Deterrent to a tyrannical state Resisting oppression Suppressing insurrection Auxiliary law enforcement Natural right to self-defense A natural necessary right on itself to restrict the power of the government In summary, there is a utilitarian case for the right to bear arms. It is a tool to achieve noble goals. However, this house shall argue that in the modern world, armed citizenry as tools to achieve or aid in the above objectives is not only pretentious and phony but also self-defeating. Horses (cavalry) are tools the same way that Tanks are tools. In the modern world however, cavalry is useless the same way that armed citizenry is useless. But promoting Tanks instead of horses does not diminish the goals of security. Real protector of Liberty, please stand-up! In the Defense of Liberty, for example, armed citizenry maybe emotionally appealing but is nothing but a nuance against any technologically advanced state with nuclear, satellite, stealth and drone capabilities. The modern way we protect Liberty is via the ballot box, right to free speech, assembly, and balance of power. The real shield against tyranny is the 1st amendment that builds the case for an accountable government and in the responsible use of power. In the case of the Arab spring, it was the exercise of free speech and assembly, and not guns, that brought down tyrannical regimes. It leveraged modern tools like the Internet and social networking to counter the authority of the military. Guns don’t protect Liberty. They encourage retaliation with military force If Arabs resorted to guns, it will diminish the legitimacy of the peaceful revolt and build the case for retaliation using overwhelming military force. The on-going conflict in Syria is the perfect example where a well-armed rebellion was met by air superiority and chemical warfare. In Myanmar, armed citizenry was the convenient excuse for racial segregation and genocide that prevailed for half a decade. And it was free speech and the Internet that willed the global community to act and apply pressure for the government to change. Majority of Americans are busy hypothesizing scenarios to use guns. But turn on TV and you will see reality – In resolving conflicts around the world, armed citizenry has now little to do with Liberty. It was free speech, international pressure and democratic elections that made things happen. Modern Military 101 The budget of the American military is more than the combined budget of the next 10 well-funded military. It is designed to successfully counter major threats including those of domestic insurrection. Air craft carriers, destroyers, submarines, air superiority, satellites, bases and drones – These are necessary tools to deter international conflict and protect global interests, and as a democratically-elected state, US interest lies in the protection of the American public. If mom and pop with AK47’s can dismantle America’s military, then this is a projection of failure rather than of power. Citizen Rambo is not REAL and contrary to what NRA preaches, the US military is designed to outclass and be extremely potent. Oppression, Tyrannical States and Restricting the Power of Government While military power is subject to abuse, this is never resolved by putting guns in the hands of clueless teenagers who follow no chain of command. Transparency, free speech, balance of power and democratic elections. These are the time-honored traditions that made America the most powerful nation on earth. These traditions prevailed for more than two centuries and it is folly to ignore their MAIN ROLE as effective deterrence to abuse, oppression, and tyranny. Suppressing insurrection The role of pacification, crowd control and public security to the hands of armed civilians only leads to chaos and unnecessary deaths. There are good reasons why professional law enforcement is a full-time job that requires rigorous training not just on the proper use of arms but also on rightful application of the law. Auxiliary Law Enforcement George Zimmerman. Trust me, you don’t want civilian justice. Provide additional security for the state Armed civilians are nothing but distractions to genuine pursuits of public security, anti-terrorism, border control, drug smuggling, cyber security, and international peace efforts. Real threats to American security are not resolved using common sense and Rambo macho. They require professionals, experts, advanced technologies, due process and chain of command. While it’s true that modern day militias exist in the form of security subcontractors, they are relegated to escort and guard duty - a sorry excuse for a major constitutional provision. Self-defense Guns as tools for self-defense are technologically outdated and worthless. Not everyone is capable of head shots. In most cases, shots hit other body parts and not cause immediate incapacitation. This opens room for retaliation. Electric-shock weapons and electrode bullets are far more effective because hits, regardless of body part, completely and immediately disable all motor functions. Given the divisive nature of gun use, it is politically easier to make Tasers the tool of choice and give everyone equal opportunity for potent self-defense. Guns also have general restrictions in terms of concealment and usage in certain public locations and make self-defense a less effective option in these areas. Pepper spray goes on for hours and hours, hitting someone with a baton breaks limbs, shooting someone with a firearm causes permanent damage, even punching and kicking—the intent of those tools is to inflict pain. But with the Taser, the intent is not to inflict pain; it's to end the confrontation. When it's over, it's over. The amendment is misused American politicians, far from being defenders of liberty, are stuck in constitutional limbo. To them, the amendment is the modern day ammo to court lobby money, create divisiveness, usurp public opinion and hijack elections. Final words for Round 1 The intention of this house is not to argue for abolishment. Despite being logically tenable,it is politically implausible. But by focusing this debate purely on the merits of the 2nd amendment, we shed light to the credibility of the case for its defense. And as I have shown, the 2nd amendment is not only outdated but has also diminished its worth. It’s nice only on constitutional paper. Sources http://www.masshist.org... http://www.newyorker.com... http://www.npr.org... http://www.gpo.gov... http://books.google.com... http://scholarship.law.duke.edu...