Meaning that an illegal alien, a prisoner, a foreign exchange student, one who is mentally ill, a child -- all may possess suitable tools to defend their lives?
I agree that they all have the God-given inalienable right to self defense. No question. But where did you come up with this "suitable tools" definition?
"If there are legitimate, Constitutionally-protected reasons for owning it, heck yeah there's something wrong with criminalizing possession thereof."
Like fuel oil and fertilizer? Box cutters? Things like that?
It would seem to me that our constitution would allow the people, through their elected representatives, to regulate those objects or activities that they deem harmful to the general public. Even if you think they're wrong. Even if they ARE wrong.
Meaning that an illegal alien, a prisoner, a foreign exchange student, one who is mentally ill, a child -- all may possess suitable tools to defend their lives?
Illegal aliens and foreign exchange students are not citizens. Prisoners and the mentally ill are particular individuals who have lost some of their rights for specific reasons in order to protect society at large from their actions. Hardly the same as denying rights to citizens wholesale.
Like fuel oil and fertilizer? Box cutters? Things like that?
It would seem to me that our constitution would allow the people, through their elected representatives, to regulate those objects or activities that they deem harmful to the general public. Even if you think they're wrong. Even if they ARE wrong.
I can own all of those items. I cannot use them to commit crimes. And the constitution does not protect the tyranny of the majority, it protects against it. But then you knew that, you just don't like it.
Go away, robertpaulsen/vincentfreeman/whateverhighmindedlosersnameyoulltakeonnext.