“O” is for Obtuse

I have a feeling that I must be terribly obtuse; I can’t seem to understand why a simple bill that could help protect the innocent was not given a thumbs up. Today, the Senate was voting on legislation that, if passed, would have required a background check for people buying guns. Approximately 90% of American citizens are in favor of this bill, but unfortunately the majority of Americans are not actively represented by their so-called representatives. These senators are more worried about losing an A+ rating from the NRA than listening to their constituents.

I am so obtuse that I fail to understand why people who have nothing to hide are so afraid of having a background check when buying a gun. Yes, the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America states: “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 upon.”* I guess I’m really obtuse, because to me, what is written here is that the people have the right to bear arms if they are part of “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State…”

Again, my obtuseness is showing, because I fail to understand why people think it’s okay to have a background check to get a loan, to get a driver’s license, to apply for a job or even buy a house or car, but it’s a horrible, dreadful thing to have to undergo a background check to buy a gun. Heck! I even have to go through a background check to be able to buy cough syrup, just because it says it DOESN’T contain a certain ingredient.

I guess I truly am obtuse, because I cannot understand why people hold their “right” to have a gun in higher respect than they do the right of people to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”** and the “inalienable rights of man”. I am sooooo obtuse. Or… am I?

*http://constitutionus.com/

**http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html