[MineralMan]

So, do you suppose this gentleman had been issued a "Letter of Marque" by Congress?

[RKV]

In order for a letter of marque to be granted there has to be a privately owned warship to start with. I am not excusing this man's crime. I am just saying that the 2nd Amendment protects "arms" of significant military usage. How else does a well-regulated (i.e. well equiped) militia protect the security of the free state?

[headsonpikes]

Never mind 'Letters of Marque' - I'm awaiting 'Bills of Attainder'.

At my compound.

That Sharps must be a beauty. ;^)

[Teacher317]

So, do you suppose this gentleman had been issued a "Letter of Marque" by Congress?

So are you saying that in 1790 citizens needed a "Letter of Marque" to exercise their Second Amendment Rights?

[El Gato]

So, do you suppose this gentleman had been issued a "Letter of Marque" by Congress?

No, but the letter of marque gives you the authority to use the cannon on your ships, the second amendment protects your right to keep them. Cannon were a "long lead time" piece of equipment, as were the ships to mount them on, although the latter not quite so much so.

[Axenolith]

letter of marque doesn't predicate ownership, it ASSUMES it already exists so it isn't a waste of time to hand them out to the unarmed. You didn't get your letter of marque and then go use it to go pick up cannon...