General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: "Guns Have Changed. Our Gun Laws Have Not Kept Pace." [View all]X_Digger
(18,585 posts).. then why did various states pass their own analogs of the second amendment at the same time that included 'himself' / 'themselves' and 'every citizen' or 'the right of citizens'? Were these states wrong in their usage?
You've focused on one phrase without reading the context where it was used, it seems.
Vermont 1777: "That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and the State.."
Pennsylvania 1790: "The right of the citizens to bear arms in defence of themselves and the State shall not be questioned."
Kentucky 1792: "That the right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned."
Ohio 1802: "That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and the State;"
Mississippi 1817: "Every citizen has a right to bear arms, in defence of himself and the State."
Connecticut 1818: "Every citizen has a right to bear arms in defense of himself and the state."