Kent, you said, "But, please, let's not act as if one side of the debate consists of those who take it "literally" and the other side consists of enlightened souls who do not. That is not the issue. What the amendment says is plain enough. The question is what to do about it."

Good point! There are indeed some lazy minds and superficial thinking, as well as knee-jerk reactions aplenty on both sides of the debate (in society generally, I mean, not pointing the finger necessarily at individuals here).

As you say, the question is what to do about the second amendment and about how it is interpreted. That's a complex question, not a matter of black and white.

And that's why I have at times come down to some extent on both sides of this debate...as I so often do...because I see that it is not a simple matter of black and white. There is prejudice and misunderstanding on both sides of the divide, and that's nearly ALWAYS the case in such matters. There are also intelligent and reasonable people on both sides of the divide, which is also nearly always the case. It will be well if they would respectfully acknowledge each other's legitimate viewpoints rather than falling back on extreme rhetoric.