Introduction
The debate over whether the Second Amendment should be interpreted in a way that allows for or prohibits limitations on liberty can be resolved by evaluating the act’s intentions through utilitarianism. The US Supreme Court struck down the New York gun control rule, which prohibited gun owners from carrying guns out of their homes. Basing their ideologies on the provisions of the Second Amendment, the court judges decided that the law gives Americans the right to carry their guns for protection.
The utilitarianism theory balances the benefits of allowing individuals to keep guns at home against the risks of carrying them. It provides that actions are right if they are intended to promote happiness and wrong if they promote sadness. Therefore, the Second Amendment should be interpreted exclusively in a way that prohibits limitations on guns, as it supports the provision of security and aims to promote happiness.
The Second Amendment as a Safeguard of Security and Happiness
Unrestricted Gun Ownership for Ensuring Security
The Second Amendment advocates the prohibition of limitations on guns for security purposes. This is evidenced in its provisions, which state that “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” (US Const. Amend. II, art. 4). New York is a free state. So long as individuals are licensed gun owners, no law should prohibit them from carrying guns.
Indeed, the provision states that the Free State’s security is necessary and should be provided. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Second Amendment by striking down New York’s rules that limited access to guns, thereby ensuring New Yorkers the security afforded by the law (Gerstein). The court argued that, as much as they understand the dangers associated with gun violence, the law allows gun owners to keep and carry them for protection (Gerstein). Consequently, Americans in New York and six other states are permitted to carry guns from home for security reasons.
Consistent Interpretation with Other Constitutional Rights
The Second Amendment should be interpreted accurately, like other Bill of Rights Amendments. According to Gerstein, Breyer, the amendment supporter, says that the provisions of the Second Amendment should be strictly followed, like those of other amendments. The law should be enacted without imposing conditions, as the remaining articles are not yet modeled.
The New York weapon control regulations demand that gun owners give a valid reason to carry the arms from home. These rules were formulated to control mass shootings caused by increased gun access. By 23rd June 2022, at least 227 people were reported dead through mass shootings (Gerstein).
Therefore, New York policymakers responded to the cries of the deceased and the growing fear of walking in public. However, Breyer and other court decision supporters state that asking gun owners to prove the need to carry their guns outside of a home is like asking Americans to prove why they need freedom of speech, as approved by the First Amendment. Henceforth, it is only fair to interpret the Second Amendment like other amendments.
Promoting Happiness Through the Right to Bear Arms
The Second Amendment should be understood as preventing restrictions on firearm ownership because it intends to promote happiness. The philosophy of utilitarianism, as presented by John Stuart Mill, posits that actions that promote happiness are right and wrong depending on whether they tend to produce sadness. He defines happiness as pleasure and the absence of pain (Mill).
The philosophy also states that pleasures can differ in quality and quantity. The pleasures rooted in an individual’s higher faculties, such as reason, will, perception, and imagination, are weighted more than the baser pleasures (Mill). Mill defines baser pleasures as sexual or gluttony, malicious, and repeated interests (Mill). In other words, baser pleasures would not last long and probably cause others misfortune.
The Second Amendment seeks to promote security and not gun violence. Gun owners need to carry guns for self-defense against crime. The interest of the Constitution is to cause happiness among gun owners by providing safety. This happiness stems from higher faculty, a long-lasting reason, and perception. This means gun owners will feel secure and happy when carrying guns.
Conclusion
The Second Amendment should be strictly interpreted because it aims to ensure security and promote happiness. The law prohibits the limitation of keeping and bearing arms to ensure security in the United States. The Amendment should also be treated with the same exclusivity and respect as other amendments. There should be no reason or conditions for gun owners to move around with guns. The individuals acquired the guns for security purposes and should be allowed to use them for the same reason.
The Amendment seeks to offer gun owners happiness by providing security. Therefore, enforcing the Second Amendment without conditions is fair for US citizens. This topic is essential because it helps us understand that all legal provisions should be accorded the same respect.
Works Cited
Gerstein, Josh. “Supreme Court Strikes Down New York Gun Law Along Ideological Lines.” POLITICO, Web.
Mill, John S. Utilitarianism. Courier Corporation, 2017.
United States Constitution. Amend. II, Art. 4.