A Well-Regulated Militia

Saul Cornell was a guest on WAMU’s “Diane Rehm Show” to talk about his book, A Well-Regulated Militia: The Founding Fathers and the Origins of Gun Control in America, published by Oxford University Press. He talked about the opposing sides of the gun control debate, tracing the history of the different interpretations of the Second Amendment, saying that both sides base their opinions on a flawed understanding of the Amendment. He said that gun rights supporters focus on “the right to bear arms,” whereas the gun control proponents look at the preamble, which addresses having a “well-regulated militia.” Prof. Cornell agruded that the 2nd Amendment guarantees neither an individual right nor a right of the state but a civic right to protect the nation, state and community. He also responded to telephone calls from listeners. Susan Page was the guest host on the “Diane Rehm Show.” close