I would like to assist a recent letter writer with his self-admitted naivete regarding gun ownership and why scuba gear cannot be rented without showing proper certification. It is because nowhere in the U.S. Constitution is the phrase: “A well-regulated recreational opportunity, being necessary to enjoy the wonders in the underwater realm of our lakes, rivers and oceans, the right of the people to keep and rent scuba gear shall not be infringed.”
Article 5 of the Constitution describes the process whereby the Constitution may be altered. The amendment proposal must be approved by a vote of two-thirds of the House of Representatives and two-thirds of the Senate. It must then be ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the states (with 50 states in currently our union, 38 states would need to ratify it.)
The founding fathers created this amendment process to ensure that the Constitution was not changed by the mere whim of the moment, and that a thoughtful, deliberate process be employed to be sure that the changes were meaningful and desired by the vast majority of the people. It is a long and difficult process, but if your amendment has merit to the majority of the citizens of the U.S., I urge you to set the ball in motion. Good Luck!
Rich Domnick
Everett
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