What good can a handgun do against an Army

"Even at my age I can hit out to a reasonable distance with a handgun from a rest. I do even better with a rifle. The opponents of freedom don't want to take me (and my many gun-toting friends) on in a house-to-house fight on my turf. As Mel Gibson said in the 'Patriot' - 'aim small, miss small.' There would be many one-shot kills."

Yup. I'm in my 50s, a Vietnam vet (US Air Force, 1970-1974), and I'm a pretty good shot with a rifle AND a handgun. A hand gun and a shotgun are for when things get real close and personal; ideally, 150-300 yard shots with a rifle is the best way to go.

"The letters of marque and reprisal then allowed the private vessels to be armed" - RP

Bull - The letters authorized action, not shipbuilding and preparation.

actual letter follows

American Schooner 1814
War of 1812
James Madison, president of the United States of America
To all who shall see these presents, greetings:

Be it known that in pursuance of an act of congress passed on the fifth day of June one thousand eight hundred and twelve, I have commissioned, and by these presents do commission, the private armed Schooner called the (Vessel's Name) Lucy of the burden of twenty-five tons, or thereabouts, owned by (Owners’ Name) John Lawton in the city of (City) Taunton state of (State) Massachusetts mounting four carriage guns, and navigated by twenty-six men, hereby authorizing (captain’s name) John Lawton Captain, and (Lieutenant’s Name) Perez Drinkwater Lieutenant of the said (Vessel’s Name) Lucy and the other officers and crew thereof to: Subdue, seize and take any armed of unarmed British vessel, public or private, which shall be found within the jurisdictional limits of the United States or elsewhere on the high seas, or within the waters of the British dominions.

And each captured vessel with her apparel, guns and appurtenances, and the goods or effects which shall be found on board the same, together with all the British persons and others who shall be found acting on board, to bring within some port of the United States.

And also to retake any vessel, goods or effects of the people of the United States, which may have been captured by any British armed vessel, in order that proceedings may be had concerning each capture or recapture in due form of law, and as to right and justice shall appertain. The said (captain’s name) John Lawton is further authorized to detain, seize and take all vessels and effects, to whomsoever belonging, which shall be liable thereto according to the law of Nations and the rights of the United States as a power at war, and to bring the same within some port of the United States in order that due proceedings may be had thereon.

This commission to continue in force during the pleasure of the President of the United States for the time being.

Given under my hand and the seal of the United States of America at the city of Washington, the twenty second day of December in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fourteen and the independence of the said states the thirty ninth.

By the President, James Madison
James Monroe, Secretary of State

Notice it authorizes action - not the arming of the Lucy, which was already armed.

"A letter of marque – or letter of reprisal – is the means by which a government authorizes a civilian to arm a private ship in order to attack and plunder the merchant ships of an enemy nation during war,"

Marque [ma;k] n. 1. letters of --, authority formerly given to private persons to fit out an armed ship and use it to attack, capture, and plunder of enemy merchant ships in time of war. 2. = mark, def. 11 (esp. of cars).

A letter of marque—or letter of reprisal—is the means by which a government authorizes a civilian to arm a private ship in order to attack and plunder the merchant ships of an enemy nation during war. Private parties who met certain requirements, such as the posting of a security bond, could arm what was called a “private ship of war” and legally plunder enemy merchant ships.

I'll stand by my statement.

Yup. I'm in my 50s, a Vietnam vet (US Air Force, 1970-1974), and I'm a pretty good shot with a rifle AND a handgun. A hand gun and a shotgun are for when things get real close and personal; ideally, 150-300 yard shots with a rifle is the best way to go.

First, thanks for your service. I lost many good friends in Vietnam - brave men flying close air support in Phantoms and FAC pilots/observers, plus others. Twenty-one of twenty-six didn't come back. Not a day goes by that I don't think of them.

Interesting this thread popped up again. I'm a CCW and NRA instructor in pistol. Also took work with Col. Cooper at Gunsite, back when he was running the place. However, I've lost fine-motor skills so any handgun confrontation will be very up close and personal, so to speak.

My weapon of choice is a Remington 700 in .308. Like I said, several of us can do some damage with a rifle - especially on our turf.

I don't fear our government with George W. as Commander-in Chief. However, we get some fool Dem-crat and all bets are off.

"First, thanks for your service. ... My weapon of choice is a Remington 700 in .308. Like I said, several of us can do some damage with a rifle - especially on our turf."

It was an honor to serve. As for rifles, my weapon of choice is a Remington 700 ADL in .30-06. I'd love to get my hands on a good M-14, though, which is probably the best "battle rifle" ever (I like the M1 Garand, too, but it is limited due to its 8-round en-banc clip, and that damn "ping" when it ejects after the eighth round could be more than a nuisance, especially in a combat situation: It's not a wise thing to advertise to your enemy that your weapon is out of ammunition).

"I'll stand by my statement." - RP

Clearly the actual letter or marque for the Lucy authorizes action, not arming, as she is previously armed. So, in spite of your (handpicked?) dictionary definition, in the real world, letters of marque authorized action (not preparation), at least some of the time.

Which means, in spite of your stubbornness, the Lucy was a legal privately owned ship of war, that was not just tolerated, but valued by the federal government.

You may choose to ignore reality, but you cannot change it.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.