"Hence, so far as a declaration of rights can to prevent the exercise of undue power, it cannot be doubted but such declaration is proper. But I confess that I do conceive, that in a Government modified like this of the United States, the great danger lies rather in the abuse of community than in the legislative body." - Madison
He goes on for sometime, even talks briefly about the "tyranny of the majority" and how a BoR could over come this. Giving us all one, equal, protected set of Rights to bind us together as a Nation. Not as a minimum, but only as a starting point to be grown upon by each State. Start with a firm foundation kind of thing.
Do you begin to get the idea yet?
Now those statements are going to inflame the hell out of a lot of people, and several will probably yell "ignorant" and "you don't get it." People are often reading comprehension challenged. Given the supercilious tone of so many would-be constitutional experts on this thread, you'd think it would make me laugh. It doesn't. I like my guns as well as the next guy. If we want the law changed we're going to have to do it one state at a time, unless a majority on the Supreme Court decides to incorporate or otherwise change its mind. Here's a link showing the court's non-incorporation.
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/constitution/amendment02/
TaTa.