I think it is important to realize that the American society (I'm using the term "American" even though there are significant differences between the states). The founding fathers goal, if I may simplify it, was to create a society where the people were protected from the authorities, unlike most European countries back then (and now, apparently). The Constitution secured peoples rights to bear arms, so that a repressive gov't won't be able to do whatever it may please. This is so important that tampering with the 2nd is considered both unconstitutional and anti American.
Whenever I'm reading peoples take on said amendment, it's obvious to me that most folks don't grasp this, and is blazing away at the 2nd amendment...the understanding of this, for reasons not fully revealed to me, is in decline even in America.
I'm sorry this lacks some structure, but I'm real tired and I'm posting from my phone