[Rick.Donaldson]

The best way to make sense of the Second Amendment is to take away all the commas (which, I know, means that only outlaws will have commas). Without the distracting commas, one can focus on the grammar of the sentence. Professor Lund is correct that the clause about a well-regulated militia is “absolute,” but only in the sense that it is grammatically independent of the main clause, not that it is logically unrelated. To the contrary, absolute clauses typically provide a causal or temporal context for the main clause.

Mayhap I thinketh muchly upon yon verbage, but can say, with utter and complete accuracy, that this is bulleth shitteth.

While "technically correct" in his idiotic assumption, it appears that indeed, the commas are there. (That's the most commas I've used today)

using his rules, this is how I read this statement: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

The right of the people shall not be infringed. Militias should be well regulated, but NOT interfere with the rights of the people (whom take precedence over the militia).

The fact is, Americans were afraid of the Engish taking their weapons away (Boston Massacre anyone?) and this particular "Right" was precipitated clearly to prevent a future government from gaining similar powers over the people.

Check out the crazy Third Amendment about "quartering soldiers" in your homes!! Obviously there were mistakes there too! I mean LOOK at all the commas, and what the hell the word "nor" is used?????

Ah, to yearn for the good old days when the elementary school teacher explained, "A comma is little more than a pause to catch your breath"....

sigh

[Hazcat]

Ah, to yearn for the good old days when the elementary school teacher explained, "A comma is little more than a pause to catch your breath"....

And I had such a crush on Miss Jones, my second grade teacher. ;)

[Hazcat]

Ah, to yearn for the good old days when the elementary school teacher explained, "A comma is little more than a pause to catch your breath"....

And I had such a crush on Miss Jones, my second grade teacher. ;)