One Weapon Less Is One Life More

There are diametrically opposed philosophies on the subject of small arms in the hands of civilians. Those concerned about the issue either support civilian small arms possession as stated in the Second Amendment of the U.S. Bill of Rights, and those who wish to control any civilian small arms possession. This book investigates some of the original arguments by America's Founding Fathers as they sought to determine the appropriate wording, if wording was even required in a Bill of Rights guaranteeing its citizens the right to keep and carry small arms. It will also investigate the meaning of "Militia," and "Well regulated Militia" as they are used in the Second Amendment, and will study the effect of an influential media in shaping public opinion toward small arms, and include modern studies on the use of small arms by citizens.This thesis will then investigate the origins and practices of the UN small arms policy, of which, will be argued are found in a U.S. Department of State document. Culminating its study, this book will compare the two philosophies to determine their effect on future military operations, as citizens bearing small arms is the condition increasingly encountered by our armed forces. Additionally, it will critically evaluate these encounters in other nations to its own constitutional principles.