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In reply to the discussion: Two words: "well regulated" are the answer to the whole thing. [View all]lastlib
(23,204 posts)7. Why is there a comma between "right of the people..." and "shall not be denied"?
"A well regulated Militia (comma) being necessary to the security of a free State (comma) the right of the people to keep and bear Arms (comma) shall not be infringed."
It makes a difference in the logic. The phrase "a well-regulated militia" becomes a superior clause and thus the subject of the phrase "shall not be infringed." The other two clauses become subordinate, thus are modifiers of the superior clause. In other words, the sentence could be written without the two subordinate clauses.
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html
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Two words: "well regulated" are the answer to the whole thing. [View all]
liberal N proud
Jan 2013
OP
Why is there a comma between "right of the people..." and "shall not be denied"?
lastlib
Jan 2013
#7
That there were two versions doesn't help matters either. For being such skilled writers, they
Ed Suspicious
Jan 2013
#22
What is a 21st century militia ... is every domicile a militia? Every truck with a gun rack?
libdem4life
Jan 2013
#18
IF YOU can't hit the target in 7 shots, you need to consider a new hobby
liberal N proud
Jan 2013
#67
That's what I'm saying. I disagree that "well-regulated" is the key, because that
petronius
Jan 2013
#74
I'm regulated just fine, and I don't need you to tell me what the Second Amendment means
slackmaster
Jan 2013
#51
Yeah. Heller doesn't say what its proponents or opponents seem to think it says
Recursion
Jan 2013
#89
Those Mofos have seen only what they want to see in the Second Amendment for decades.
bluestate10
Jan 2013
#63