Decision in gun owner's favor fans 2nd Amendment debate

The San Diego Union-Tribune ^ | November 18, 2001 | James P. Sweeney

[StoneColdGOP]

Bang! Bang!

[11th Earl of Mar]

the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed

I wonder how much uncertainty the left would have with the meaning of another amendment to the US Constitution that would read: "The right to an abortion shall not be infringed."

You think they would be claiming that the language is too vague? Too outdated? Unnecessary? Needs updating since the Constitution is a 'living and breating document'?

[ChemistCat]

Am I the only one who sees that a woman who arms herself only with a restraining order is ALWAYS going to lose if anyone wants her hurt? Take away his gun--he'll get another, or content himself with a knife, or his two stronger hands. Women. Need. Guns. Especially since society does not use available technology to identify and track dangerous people, nor does it execute all people proven to be dangerous to others. It's a no brainer to me.

[Fiddlstix]

BIG
BUMP
J

[outpost44]

I actually had a chance to read the decision and I saw it 90%vs10% in favor of an individuals right, not a "states" or "Governments" right. Good stuff IMHO

[Libertarianize the GOP]

I think a good case can be made that Guns actually lead to a more civilized society, especially handguns. In the Wild West the Colt 45 was considered the great equalizer. Any person that possesses a gun is the equal of the biggest brute in the tribe. Raw strength is no longer the determining factor in who gets what they want.

[Leisler]

I don't belive the posession, or lack of, of any particular object, in this case guns, should in any way effect anything. Sound too much like superstition. Western society depended more upon simple, clear property rights and quick punishment.( i.e., few lawyers, but good laws.)

[Libertarianize the GOP]

Our Legal system is part of the answer but there are still times and places when the individual has to defend himself.

[stryker]

"a right subject to reasonable regulation" is not a right, but a privilege.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

Agreed

[Plutarch]

I wonder how much uncertainty the left would have with the meaning of another amendment to the US Constitution that would read: "The right to an abortion shall not be infringed."

Lets see, would NOW be looking to parse this amendment:?

A well-regulated family planning system, being necessary for the enjoyment of private domestic life, the right of the people to have and perform abortions, shall not be infringed.'

[UnChained]

I think a good case can be made that Guns actually lead to a more civilized society, especially handguns. In the Wild West the Colt 45 was considered the great equalizer. Any person that possesses a gun is the equal of the biggest brute in the tribe. Raw strength is no longer the determining factor in who gets what they want.

I support the second amendment(and the rest of the constitution) but I wonder how inherently civilizing guns are. A lot of guns make sense in a fairly moral society. In a amoral society like Rwanda during the slaughters a few years back, no one was safe due to the dominance of warlords and what amounted to gangs of young boys with military rifles. In anarchy, the evil and the ruthless rise to the top. The ready availability of weapons didn't save many lives. If Rwanda was Christian and every citizen was REQUIRED to have a weapon like in revolutionary United States then perhaps the bloodshed would not have happened.

[technochick99]

Well, property rights and quick punishment are VERY necessary to our society and the general security. Which do you recommend I call upon when some big bad murderer or rapist/murderer breaks into my house?

The police in my area once took 45 minutes to respond to what turned out to be a false alarm at my house. I think I'll keep my SIG.

[technochick99]

The ready availability of weapons didn't save many lives.

Did the general populace have arms, or just the bad guys? If just the bad guys, that's what our modern day Misguided Mommies are trying to create.

[technochick99]

but I wonder how inherently civilizing guns are

I don't think objects make for civilization, or the civilizing of people. Evil and malice lurk in the hearts and souls of people, not in their surroundings. I am the same person with or without my firearm. So is the thug...

[Mulder]

The police in my area once took 45 minutes to respond to what turned out to be a false alarm at my house. I think I'll keep my SIG.

The police aren't able to prevent crimes from happening. The only (sane) alternative is to arm yourself for protection.

By the way, you've got good taste by having a Sig. I'm addicted to them :-)

[lepton]

In a amoral society like Rwanda during the slaughters a few years back,

Ummmm. Wasn't that Machettes?

[culpeper]

Good one!!! I guess then if there was an amendment that said "The right to an abortion shall not be infringed." We could actually limit abortions.

[Lurker]

"The ruling does not appear to pose an immediate threat to any of California's many gun laws or those at the federal level."

Actually, it does.

L