Moses left the building

Charlton Heston’s passing yesterday made me think back to an episode of NPR’s On the Media that aired a couple of weeks ago. The report discussed the general misconception that American have about the second amendment.

Most US citizens think that their constitution guarantees them the right to bare arms, that they have the right to own and carry a gun for their own protection. As a reminder here is the complete second amendment text;

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.

I don’t know about you but when I read this the right to bare arms is clearly conferred to “a well regulated militia” that is necessary to ensure “the security of a free state”, something like the National Guard.

Instead of taking the time to read the amendment, most are satisfied and hold as truth what is propagated by popular culture and the Media. Owning a gun is one of the defining characteristics of their culture, it’s as American as apple pie. It is a part of the American dream… It is the American way.

So while Heston’s passing was an automatic link to gun laws in my mind because of his deep roots to the NRA for million of others it will mean that Moses has left the building.

In the end, perception is truth isn’t it.