What Does The 2nd Amendment Mean?

Personal Liberty Digest ^ | January 24, 2013 | Bob Livingston

[Resettozero]

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.—Amendment II

Some of the recent attacks on the 2nd Amendment and lawful gun owners by the gun grabbers have focused on the meaning of the words in the Amendment. Particularly, gun grabbers have zeroed in on what the Founding Fathers meant by the words “well regulated Militia.”

So what did the Founders mean when they penned and approved those words? As Thomas Jefferson suggested in a letter to William Johnson, “On every question of construction (of the Constitution) let us carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates, and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed.”

[bunkerhill7]

Instead of trying to interpret or guess the meaning of the Second Amendment, just ask families who have been here since the 1600`s.

They know all about bearing arms. Just go through the genealogical websites and you can see the families there who have borne arms for almost 400 years.

Gimme a break- the Second Amendment is not written on paper in ink- It is written on the bloodied battlefields of our forefathers.

[i_robot73]

Why, exactly right! As you know, words CAN kill. I mean, what's to stop someone from shouting 'FIRE!' in a crowded theatre.. There you go again, using logic...

[Resettozero]

palladium: noun Chemistry...ductile and malleable, harder and fusing more readily than platinum: used chiefly as a catalyst...in dental and other alloys.

Good word. Haven't used it yet but will try.

[Resettozero]

Excellent news to me. Good to see He still gets passing mention by our government, albeit insincere.

[Resettozero]

I really like this simple but forceful lesson in History. Don’t remember seeing it before. Love it, especially the smacks with the pointer! Thank you.

[Ray76]

Actually you can shout “FIRE!” in a crowded theater. If there is no cause for your action you will be held accountable for any damage, injuries, or deaths that result from your action.

The RKBA has similar responsibilities. If there is no cause for your action you will be held accountable for any damage, injuries, or deaths that result from your action.

[tbpiper]

Among many grand things, it probably also means I die at my front door when they come for my gun(s).

[ExTxMarine]

Actually you can shout “FIRE!” in a crowded theater. If there is no cause for your action you will be held accountable for any damage, injuries, or deaths that result from your action.

I have used this EXACT same example on many a liberal! There is absolutely NO LAW that says you cannot yell fire in a crowded theater - if there was such a law then it would be illegal for you to warn others who were trapped in an actual theater fire.

Same thing on the RKBA - there is no reason to not allow felons to protect themselves. Hell, up until the early 1900's, in Texas, all prisoners were released from prison with $10, a horse, a rifle and 10 rounds! Because it was unthinkable to put a man out of prison in the middle of nowhere without giving him a basic package to survive.

If the person is SO dangerous that you cannot trust them outside of prison to act as a responsible citizen, then they should still be in prison! Otherwise, let them get on with their lives; including voting and gun ownership! If they return to a life of crime, then put them back in jail - duh!

I have a family member who, at a young age, under a drug, alcohol and girlfriend induced stupor attempted armed robbery. He spent six years in prison. After his departure from prison, he has NEVER had a single incident with the law (other than the occasional traffic ticket).

After getting out, he got married, had two children (one of which is in the Air Force), he started a construction business, bought 24 acres of land and built his home/workshop from ground up. He is member of his local church, a pillar of his community and volunteers to help the elderly keep their homes in good repair!

This man who means so much to those around him and his community cannot vote, nor LEGALLY protect his wife and children! How does that benefit society? How does that benefit him? If we have an "...unalienable right to life..." then how can the government remove the best means to ENSURE this said "unalienable right?"

[Resettozero]

Nice post. Wish you could influence my two Dem ex-Marines friends who give me grief over practically everything I believe, I still like their companionship and still am praying.

[Snow Eagle]

“I will not disarm and therefore these discussions are irrelevant.”

I stand with you, for Liberty.

“We mutually pledge to each other, our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor” (Declaration of Independence).

[Sacajaweau]

It was really quite generic, i.e., the long form of A.D. Has nothing to do with recognizing God.

We generally use local forms today. Joe at the Old smokeshop sold them in years gone by. Now, Lawyers have masters on their computers.

I was a cartographer for many years and always wrote the year and A.D. Had "0" to do with my faith....only a time frame.

[Resettozero]

It was really quite generic, i.e., the long form of A.D. Has nothing to do with recognizing God.

You're correct, of course. But I don't feel as good as before you busted my little glimmer of hope.

[Ray76]

If the person is SO dangerous that you cannot trust them outside of prison to act as a responsible citizen, then they should still be in prison!

BINGO!

[SENTINEL]

I’m truly honored.

[Nip]

I find Emperor Obama’s current stance on civilians owning “assault weapons” very interesting. My only question is he lying now? Or did he lie back in June 2008? There is no question that he is lying its just a question of which one?

Why June 2008?

Because on July 2, 2008 at an open speech at Colorado Springs, CO then candidate Obama propose a “Civilian National Defense Force” because; “We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives we’ve set. We’ve got to have a civilian national security force that’s just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded.”

Taking him at his freely expressed word, a dangerous thing to do with any politician, this would mean civilians would have access to full automatic individual weapons, crew served weapons from small mortars to large caliber field guns, tanks, attack helicopters, fighters, bombers, and naval warships that are at least equal to what is currently operated by the DoD.

Am I the only one, other than World Net Daily, that remembers this speech?

I wonder if any pro Second Amendment person would have the guts to bring this up during an interview?

[Sacajaweau]

Assuming you’re a Christian, go to church on Sunday...and give thanks that you can walk in the church door without fear....unlike the Muslim dominated countries where Christians fear for their life.

[Resettozero]

...I don't feel as good as before you busted my little glimmer of hope.

Humor fail.

http://www.persecution.com/

[Forty-Niner]

“In the 1700’s, the words “well-regulated” meant well trained.”

It also meant “efficient.”

[Kickass Conservative]

Never forget, the Second Amendment is the ONLY Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that uses the phrase, “SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED”.

Gee, I wonder why those Rich Old White Men thought that was necessary? Something to ponder.

January 24, 2013, the day in History that the following was shouted far and wide in the KC Household, “The Feinstein are coming, the Feinstein are coming”.

[Resettozero]

January 24, 2013, the day in History that the following was shouted far and wide in the KC Household, “The Feinstein are coming, the Feinstein are coming”.

I'd say something about this California Senator...but I cannot: One of mine is Linseed Graham.