[Dead Corpse]

Privateers were utilized as sea-going malitia. The Letters of M&R were nothing more than authorizing them to use "piracy" against pirates, the British Fleet, or any other enemies we faced before putting together a formidable Navy.

This would be pretty much the same thing as the FedGov hiring bounty hunters to go after Osama.

Pretty much, although different in mission, to temporarily deputizing civilians to help with a county law enforcement effort.

[rjsimmons]

Quote
Privateers were utilized as sea-going malitia. The Letters of M&R were nothing more than authorizing them to use "piracy" against pirates, the British Fleet, or any other enemies we faced before putting together a formidable Navy. This would be pretty much the same thing as the FedGov hiring bounty hunters to go after Osama. Pretty much, although different in mission, to temporarily deputizing civilians to help with a county law enforcement effort.

True, but they considered what they were getting. In deputizing the vessel and crew (which is the defacto setting for the letters), they knew that they would be bringing along the deck guns. Kind of like granting letters of marque to a group that owned armour. You get the main gun along with the crew, even though you didn't specifically ask for it.

[antiRepublicrat]

Pretty much, although different in mission, to temporarily deputizing civilians to help with a county law enforcement effort.

Continue this: ...using the weapons they already legally owned according to their rights guaranteed under the 2nd Amendment.