The Real Reason for Gun Rights

The issue of gun ownership of varying degrees in the populace is a hot topic with a new President in office, firearms being blamed for shootings across the country, and anti-gun groups springing up everywhere. Proponents of gun rights defend themselves with several arguments, the most common of which are:

1. Self-defense. Wielding a firearm has obvious advantages over being unarmed or using a knife, pepper spray, or other weapon in home defense.
2. Hunting. Hunting is a tradition and hobby for many people, and firearm ownership is an integral part of hunting.
3. Sporting. Firearms are used in such sports as shooting clay pigeons.
4. Defense in an invasion. An armed populace in addition to the military and National Guard would provide a detriment to any nation trying to invade the United States. The invader would have to level that which he wishes to gain in order to fully subvert the country.

However, I feel even the staunchest gun owners have forgotten the real purpose for civilian gun ownership and the 2nd Amendment. The Bill of Rights contains several basic rights for the American people, including the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and the right to a fair trial before a jury of one's peers. But in the end, these can all be taken away by anyone with sufficient force, including the government itself. The right to bear arms is what protects those rights from malevolent forces. When the document of the Bill of Rights fails to protect the people, which it inevitably will at some point, the 2nd Amendment is what will allow the people to defend themselves and their rights, and restore the government to its place.