So lets see. We need our guns, rapid fire with big ammo magazines, in case we have to fight an evil federal government. Dont we need planes, tanks, bazookas, grenades, flame-throwers, bombs, rocket propelled grenades (RPG), anti-aircraft batteries, artillery and submarines, too? Maybe a couple of drones in every garage? Is it OK if we have background checks for those?

And whos going to bring about this evil government takeover? Obviously the president cant do anything if even a minority of Congress disagrees. The cat herd of Democrats is all over the map and couldnt possibly unify behind any idea like this. Republicans already think government is evil. And the military? Last I heard, the military was our sons and daughters.

So whos behind this nervous-making idea that government wants to take away our guns so they can take us over? Wait! The government is already in power. Remember? We elected them.

Aha, but there are people exerting power whom we didnt elect. Mostly people and corporations-which-are-now-people with lots of money, who want even more. They have massive armies of lobbyists. It seems to me the gun and ammunition industry has done a pretty good job of fattening its profits by exploiting fear to achieve record sales.

Self-disclosure: Ive owned a gun, a Colt .45 semiautomatic pistol, and I had a concealed weapons permit, to boot. Guns are a pain in the butt. If youre responsible, you have to be constantly on guard that every minute the gun is kept in a way that no one can be harmed by it. Long-term statistics make it clear that a gun owner and family are much, much more likely to be harmed by the gun than protected by it.

But what about this idea that youll have your good-guy gun at the ready, just when its needed, so you can save the day. Surely youve read by now that there were good guys with guns at some of those shopping mall shootings, but for a variety of reasons they couldnt use them.

Is your weapon loaded, cocked and in your hand every second of every day, just in case something might suddenly happen? If its not, you could be toast. If it is, Id guess youre way overdue for a bath.

So keep your nonmilitary hunting rifle. Keep your shotgun. Lock em up. Youre good to go and so is the Second Amendment. As for the rest, just remember those guys who want you afraid so they can sell you something.