[bubbacluck]

I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but if citizens aren't to have "assault" weapons, then only the government will.

Correct me if I am wrong here, but wasn't the 2nd amendment put in place to protect us from our government if it became tyrannical?

[ClearCase_guy]

Of course. The whole idea of the 2nd Amendment is that the citizens should have sufficient firepower so that they can go up against the army which is being fielded by their government.

If the Marines have it, I should be able to have it.

Note also that the Constitution discusses Letters of Marque -- which presupposes that a private citizen may own a ship suitable to perform the duties of a US Navy warship on the high seas. Such a citizen may put his ship at the service of the government -- or perhaps use his ship to fight against the US Navy.

No, I do not expect a citizen to own an aircraft carrier -- but the point is: according to the US Constitution, a citizen could.

[2ndDivisionVet]

What Good Can a Handgun Do Against An Army?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-backroom/2312894/posts

[BerryDingle]

Correct me if I am wrong here, but wasn't the 2nd amendment put in place to protect us from our government if it became tyrannical?

You're exactly right and many people are afraid to say or admit that.

In 1929 the Soviet Union imposed gun control. From 1929 to 1953 20 million dissidents unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

In 1911 Turkey imposed gun control. From 1915 to 1917 one million five hundred thousand Armenians unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

In 1938 Germany imposed gun control. From 1939 to 1945 13 million Jews unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

In 1935 China imposed gun control. From 1948 to 1952 20 million dissidents unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

In 1964 Guatemala imposed gun control. From 1964 to 1981 100 thousand Mayan Indians unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

In 1970 Uganda imposed gun control. From 1971 to 1979 300 thousand Christians unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

In 1956 Cambodia imposed gun control. From 1975 to 1977 one million educated Cambodians unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

56 million people unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century due to gun control.