Unfortunately, I believe the 14th amendment, actually, the modern day court's interpretation of the 14th amendment, has thrown a monkey wrench into the works. The federals now think they can lord it over the states. Alan Keyes is one who would like to correct this mess. First step, appoint and confirm constitionalist judges rather than liberal activists. Next step, repeal the 17th amendment and reestablish the sovereign states' constitutional representatives to the federal government (the Senators). As it is, the sovereign interests of the state governments are not being truly represented as intended by the founding fathers and ratified by the states.
I agree. However, that doesn't address my concern over federal beaurocrats dictating whether I can own a weapon or not, and having to "prove" to them I've had the "required training" in order to "get permission" to exercise an inherent god-given right...
THAT is my concern, and the sooner Keyes clarifies this, the better for all of us.
Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater with the 14th.
I recently filed an appeal in the New Mexico Appeals Court that relied heavily on the 14th Amendment. It was crucial to my case, as a matter of fact; it was necessary to press home the fact that the appellant rights do NOT "stop at the state border".
Clarification: my brief, which relies on the 14th, was filed recently. I filed the appeal itself a while back; it was only recently that the court agreed to hear it. (Not every appeal is accepted.)