Zach is incorrect about the Second Amendment, accepted as ratified, would permit law abiding citizens to own bazookas or other 'explosives'. It was meant to permit the government from infringing on our right to keep and bear personal firearms. The 'citizen militia' were required to provide their own weapons when called to muster and the arms and accoutrements as spelled out in the Milita Act of 1792.
There is one other correction that needs to be made. The comment was made that we acquired our right to keep and bear arms at a certain date. To be correct, all of the rights in the Bill of Rights pre-existed the writing and ratification of the Bill of Rights. All of the rights enumerated were a product of our Creator and the Founding Fathers simply enumerated them to make sure they were not infringed by a tyrannical government. The rights would exist even if they were not put on paper. Driving is a privilege. Free speech, gun ownership, not incriminating yourself, etc, are all rights that existed before we did.
Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.
Other reader comments on this article
Comment
By
Date
OK, Obama believes that the 2nd Amendment provides an individual's right to bear arms. What he supports are a communities'... [MORE]
Julia
Mar 18, 2008 11:13
Almost nobody thinks a criminal should have the right to own a gun. What Senator Obama is saying is that... [MORE]