The Founding Fathers did not have guns in mind when they wrote the Constitution, or the Bill of Rights. They were concerned about freedom, liberty, rights, not guns. The 2nd Amendment is not about a particular type of weapon, ancient or modern, it is about self-defense. They were more concerned about the people being able to defend themselves against a tyranical government. That means having arms that are up to the task. The people of that era had state of the art firearms that were every bit as equal to those of the British army. This is what one outspoken comentator had to say at the time:
"Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom? Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American. What clause in the state or federal constitution hath given away that important right? The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people."
-- Tench Coxe - 1787
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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]