Citizens need guns for self protection and to keep their government afraid of them.
Would you trust a government led by Gore, Kerry, Teddy, Boxer, McKinney, Conyers, Murtha, Waters, Schumer, etc?
I wouldn't.
I've just read through this thread and am completely amazed that you four folks are the only FReepers that have touched on the real reason for the 2nd Amendment.
Like all of the other nine the 2nd is to enable us to protect ourselves from OUR OWN GOVERNMENT. Many folks believe that it was included to insure we always had fresh meat on the table at mealtime....or that we could call up the militia in case of a national emergency or invasion.
The framers knew.....and the States verified....that the people needed some assurance that their newly formed Republic would not blossom into some kind of a tyrannical, uncontrollable, monster.....like a democracy. Thus, the Bill of Rights. In the first ten amendments the people were assured protection from their own government....and the States ratified it.
We so seldom hear this reason given and unfortunately most folks just look at you with glazed eyes when you mention it. Such a shame. Thank you for reminding us of the reason for it all!