In this dense fog of rapid change, are the principles in our founding documents still valid?

The history of our Constitution identifies its dynamic nature. When it was written, it counted those in slavery as three-fifths of a person. It denied the right of women to vote until it was amended in 1920. As our collective knowledge and insight has expanded, we find it absurd that some of us were counted as three-fifths of a person or that women should not have the right to vote or serve on juries.

With the above information in mind, are the principles clearly stated in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution still sustaining our collective values? As Congress and our two-party system ebbs and flows, and the barrage of media attention becomes overwhelming, it would serve us well to revisit the principles found in these foundational documents.

The Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution should not be dissected into individual values. One should not scan these important documents searching for an individual value or right they hold dear and attempt to place that value or right above all others. These documents should be closely read and taken as whole cloth. The Declaration of Independence clearly states “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The Declaration of Independence does not single out a specific right, it clearly points out three values that are as important today as they were when penned by Thomas Jefferson.

If one does chose to select a single amendment over all others, the right to life is the one rights consistently listed in both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. The right to life is the critical right in which all other rights are based. Obviously, no other right can be exercised when the right to life is lost. The most consistent rights outlined in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, including the “Bill of Rights” is the right to life and liberty. The right to bear arms is mentioned in the Second Amendment to the Bill of Rights. The right to life is boldly stated in the Declaration of Independence, listed in the Fifth Amendment of the Bill of Rights and repeated in the 14th Amendment.

The repetitious shootings can be stopped. From El Paso to Dayton, we can stop these horrible shootings if we can find the courage to act. All other, western civilized countries have laws that limited gun violence. Clinging to an outdated gun culture in America is silly. We need to act — not just talk!

The Sandy Hook shooter took the right to life away from twenty 6 and 7-year-old children and from six adults. These Sandy Hook children will never exercise any of the rights guaranteed to them in the U.S. Constitution based on our commitment to the Second Amendment.

In the 1960s, as a San Diego police officer, I took an oath to up hold the U.S. Constitution and enforce the constitutionally supported laws outlined in the California Penal Code. The California Penal Code, Section 288(a) made gay sexual behavior a felony. As the interpretation of the U.S. Constitution has changed to meet the demands of both science and understanding, gay relationships are now protected by the U.S. Constitution. In the Pulse Night Club in Orlando, 49 people were killed. These 49 people, many from the LGBT community, lost their right to life because of our commitment to the Second Amendment, which allowed the Pulse Nightclub shooter the right to obtain an assault rifle and a large, 30-round magazine. Our Constitution has been amended to support the LGBT and, at the same time, supports the Second Amendment, which contributed to 49 young people losing their right to life.

Nine church members in Charleston, South Carolina, and 26 people have been shot to death while in church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Losing the right to life as well as their ability to exercise their First Amendment Right — freedom of religion. Will we, as American citizens, accept people being gunned down while exercising their right to attend church? Are we all part of the problem by displaying our collective commitment to the Second Amendment over the right to life and all other rights listed in the Declaration of Independence and in the U.S. Constitution?

Is the Second Amendment hurting the First Amendment as well as the right to life? Are the values of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” found in the Declaration of Independence lost to the friends and families of the victims of mass shootings? How do family members ever pursue their right to “happiness” after a family member is a victim of gun violence? Are church shootings, nightclubs shootings, workplace shootings, the mass shooting in Las Vegas and now these repetitive, almost daily shootings the last straw? Mass shootings that are not prevented by the Second Amendment. These shootings are enhanced by the Second Amendment.

Robert C. Wadman is a professor emeritus of the Criminal Justice Department at Weber State University.