Customer Reviews

In Search of the Second Amendment

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A group of legal and educational professionals have conspired to create an educational documentary. It views much like an educational video on a required media list for a college or high school course. The first part is a steady flow of single-camera interviews, law and history book page excerpts, and a few costumed re-enactments, help the host, Dave Hardy, tell his story.

The production continues with a detailed explanation of precisely how the 2nd amendment came into existence in the Bill of Rights. There is a great deal of information. It offers comparison of specific wording and verbiage of consecutive bills and laws throughout history from England to the colonies and up to and including the actual 2nd amendment. It considers an important aspect of the amendment many ponder and argue over in today's world. Is gun ownership and individual right or a state militia responsibility? There is no ambiguity in the wording of the amendment.

History students should appreciate the various literary references as, if the viewer is prepared with a pen and a notebook, they can make a substantial list of suggested reading titles with which they can perform their own research.

One refreshing aspect of the film is it is not heavily seasoned with political agenda of either party and is more concerned with providing factual, historical data. Despite that, the producers still felt the need to "enhance" the film by keeping a constant background of "midi-style" music reminiscent of the old Atari video games. Well, not that bad, but you get the idea.

The film goes on to discuss more modern discussions, statistics, news and polls concerning guns. If you are a law student, a historian, a concerned citizen, or simply curious, you will learn something.

Just a quick note: This is not a major-budget production. There are moments when the audio quality of some of the interviews is a temporary distraction, however, it is rare and should not necessarily deter you from purchasing the documentary.

In summary: Pay the $3.00 to purchase it and understand you may have to watch it more than once to glean all it has to offer. It is long, however, if you realize you are armed with a "pause" button, a piece of paper and a writing utensil, a serious student of the 2nd amendment will find this is a worthwhile endeavor.