Submitted by charlie sutherland, Mar 19, 2008 11:52

I have read a number of the comments and amendments proposed before final draft of the Bill of Rights. They were created to enumerate the basic God-given rights of individuals.

As for the second amendment, the consensus, as I see it, among the states was that the militias were a necessary evil for the protection of a free state, but neither the government nor a standing army could be trusted. To insure a free state, the people must possess the right to bare arms not only to provide ready arms for a militia comprised of citizens but also to protect themselves from the state or militia if it should turn into a liberty threatening standing army.

The second amendment, probably well understood by the delegates, from all previous discussions on the matter, not only assures the right of the individuals to bare arms, but also gives reason for that right and expresses a concern for the dangers of a standing army. It was well understood at the time, and the wording, to them, was sufficiently clear.

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