Here's another Vattel quote:
A cette prémiére Loi, dont je ne doute point que l'expérience ne montrât bien-tôt l'efficace, il seroit bon de joindre les Réglemens suivans: 1. Puisque la coûtume veut que la Noblesse & les Gens de Guerre marchent toûjours armés, en pleine paix, il faudroit au moins tenir exactement la main à l'observation des Loix, qui ne permettent qu'à ces deux Ordres de porter l'épée. (Les Droits des Gens, Liv. 1, Chap 13, Sec. 176)
Hmm, the father of the 2nd Amendment opposed the right to bear arms. Who knew?
Really, if you're looking for the source of the 2nd Amendment, you might try starting with the English Bill of Rights.
That's a complicated passage, colloquial and seemingly archaic, but I'm going to give it a go here. I'm sure this isn't going to be an expert translation.
Please correct me if I've made any huge errors.
"Regarding this first law, which I am sure experience will soon prove, it would be good to lay down the following rules: 1. Since custom requires that the Nobility and the Army always go about armed, even in time of peace, it would be necessary to adhere to Laws, which permit only these two Orders to carry the sword."
(The Rights of the People, Book 1, Chapter 13)
Vattel, it seems, was not the father of the Second Amendment. More like the father of Gun Control.
And Nathanael, please correct me even in any minor errors. It'll be good for my French.