Choice Review

Williams (law, Indiana Univ.) examines two diametrically opposed theories or "myths" currently used to explain the meaning of the Second Amendment's right to keep and bear arms. Supporters of each are sure of the rightness of their positions and, Williams argues, both naive and historically wrong. The individual rights theory interprets the amendment to guarantee an individual right to bear arms, while the collective rights position takes the view that this right is not an individual one but is designed to protect state militias from federal abolition. The former is naive in its belief that disparate individuals possessing arms will coalesce into a force to thwart governmental oppression, while the latter's naivete comes in its trust in the government not to be oppressive. Williams provides substantial evidence to rebut both theories and to support his view that the Amendment was intended to provide a right to revolt against an oppressive government by the "Body of the People," a universal militia united by a common culture. Since this no longer exists, the author suggests ways in which we might achieve new forms of popular unity and checks and balances in 21st-century society. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. All levels. M. W. Bowers University of Nevada, Las Vegas