1791年，美利坚合众国的开国元老们在第二次修订宪法时，加入了下面一条：“纪律严明的民兵是保障自由州的安全所必需的，人民持有和携带武器的权利不可侵犯。”这样一来，他们就从本质上全权赋予了美国人民拥有、使用枪支并加以训练的权利。那时，这无疑是个不错的主意。因为英国和其它一些国家企图占领美国，这也就意味着美国人民需要一支装备精良、训练有素的武装力量去保卫这个新生的国家政权。

    217 years later, and pro-gun Americans still use the Second Amendment as their strongest defence, even though the threat of hostile invasion has long since passed. So why do Americans still insist on owning guns? Surveys report that 50% of American households possess a firearm of some description, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms believes there to be over 220 million guns in circulation across the United States.

    217年后 ......