1) "We Hold These Truths: Understanding the Ideas and Ideals of The Constitution," 1987, Mortimer J. Adler. Foreward by Harry A. Blackmun, associate justice of the United States Supreme Court.

Article Two: A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people (plural) to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

2) "It Is So Ordered: A Constitution Unfolds," 1995, Copyright by Chief Justice Warren E. Burger, retired.

Amendment II (1791). A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people (plural) to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

Nothing stands out clearer than the reference to "people" (plural) and a "militia" is intended.

There is no hint of individual gun ownership.

Only the Republicans cannot understand this point.

Notice the dates of publication: 1987 and 1995. The Supreme Court justices have published similar books regularly.

Sid Williams

Granite City