[El Gato]

Private ownership of WMDs would be the functional equivalent of a private army...the only WMD known at the time...and that is not protected.

The main body of the Constitution, Art I Sec 8, IIRC (where the powers of Congress are enumerated), provides for issuance of letters of Marque. Not much point in that if individuals (or groups) cannot own cannon armed ships. They did of course.

[Woahhs]

The main body of the Constitution, Art I Sec 8, IIRC (where the powers of Congress are enumerated), provides for issuance of letters of Marque. Not much point in that if individuals (or groups) cannot own cannon armed ships. They did of course.

A privateer is not a private army.