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In reply to the discussion: Did the Founding Fathers mean to keep arms IN a regulated milita [View all]kentuck
(115,407 posts)19. In the simplest terms...
they were saying that we should have an army to protect our new nation and that every citizen had the right to bear arms for the purpose and necessity of preserving the security of a free state.
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The militia is the body of people who are subject to conscription. It's basically everyone.
slackmaster
Jul 2012
#2
In 18th Century colonial America, participating in defense of the community was regarded as a civic
slackmaster
Jul 2012
#24
The muzzle loader was what was considered state of the art in weaponry at that time
rl6214
Jul 2012
#58
My point is keep the 18th century standard or dismiss it don't pick and choose
SoutherDem
Jul 2012
#60
Well, what do you think the gubmint comes after you with? Armored cars!
alcibiades_mystery
Jul 2012
#55
There isn't anyone on the pro-gun side who won't discuss reasonable restrictions.
shadowrider
Jul 2012
#16
I seem to remember that but at my age I have a hard time remembering what I had for breakfast
shadowrider
Jul 2012
#35
There isn't anyone on the pro-gun side who won't discuss reasonable restrictions?
SoutherDem
Jul 2012
#32
It makes Great Sense unless you want to interpret the Constitution to suit yourself
FreakinDJ
Jul 2012
#23
I really hate the whole thing of parsing sentences, especially legal text
HereSince1628
Jul 2012
#10
Call me old school...I wouldn't argue that it's not an attempt to clarify.
HereSince1628
Jul 2012
#36
That interpretation isn't supported by the law, tradition, or even common sense
4th law of robotics
Jul 2012
#12
The slave states wanted the ability to protect their ability to keep slaves.
Motown_Johnny
Jul 2012
#15
You can still legally own a gun, it is just not a constitutionally protected right.
Motown_Johnny
Jul 2012
#17
The rationales aren't particularly relevant because of how the right is ascribed.
Lizzie Poppet
Jul 2012
#22
To understand what they meant you need to go back to how things were in their time
Marrah_G
Jul 2012
#34
YES. the guns' purpose was to defend Americans from domination by another country, England.
robinlynne
Jul 2012
#41
After a certain point how much do the original authors' intentions matter?
Posteritatis
Jul 2012
#42
The meant to provide for the country's defense because we're not supposed to have a standing army. e
TransitJohn
Jul 2012
#56