I was reminded of this by Justice Scalia. I once questioned him about abortion by saying, "isn't it true that of the rights declared by our founding fathers, they choose to declare first, the right to life? For without the right to life, one certainly enjoys no other rights, especially liberty."
Scalia, speaking to a small group of Thomas More members at my law school said, "The Constitution is a nice puff-piece, but it ain't the law."
I certainly support the right to keep and bear arms, but I think any arguments on its legitamacy should come from the U.S. Constitution. Frankly, I have read the Second Amendment more than once, and I find it hard to reconcile the language with the unfettered rights some advocate. (Rights with which I agree in principle).
Did he misspeak, or did you misquote?