Actually, that’s right. The 2nd Amendment does not protect individual liberties.
When I carry my gun for protection, it’s not a piece of paper protecting my liberties ...
It’s the gun.
The 2nd Amendment merely promises that the government will not try to stop me from protecting my liberties this way. And ultimately, it’s also not a piece of paper protecting my liberties if they break that promise ...
It’s the gun.
The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered, as the palladium of the liberties of a republic; since it offers a strong moral check against the usurpation and arbitrary power of rulers; and will generally, even if these are successful in the first instance, enable the people to resist and triumph over them.