[Redcitizen]

" The one surviving terrorist later claimed that his group was unaware of the extent of civilian firearm ownership and felt that it was “unfair.” "

Heh-heh. :) Obviously not the brightest bulb in the box.

[Fenris6]

"How would we pay for such a program? Simple: raise the taxes of those who either refuse to participate or are barred from ownership."

Liberals who insist sex ed prevents pregnancy will insist that gun safety classes promote shootings.

[Billthedrill]

Not everyone will want to do this, of course. Let's compromise - if someone doesn't want to own a firearm, I think that they should be allowed not to do so once they undergo psychiatric evaluation by the government and after the payment of an annual fee to cover the protection they're receiving from others but not contributing to themselves. Is a license-not-to-have-to-carry such an outrageous imposition on the non-gun-owning public?

[Argus]

I think in the 18th century, the term "well-regulated" meant "properly equipped", not the modern meaning of regulation. It was also understood that the militia comprised all free male citizens capable of bearing arms. That would now be extended to all adults of either sex not convicted of a felony.

[rdb3]

"A" firearm, as in one? Ha!

I have two .44 Desert Eagles (among others). Why? One for each hand.

If you want a Google GMail account, FReepmail me.
Also, please see The Backside of American History
You'll love this 187 page .pdf (1.99 MB)

[Disambiguator]

Rush Limbaugh says that (and I paraphrase), "if liberals interpreted the Second Amendment the same way they do the rest of the Bill of Rights, gun ownership would be mandatory."

I agree with him.

[doorgunner69]

Just "1" firearm? Heck, I have 5 handguns, 2 shotguns, 2 rifles, and 2 airguns. Do I get extra credit?

And yes, I was well trained, got the USMC "Expert" rifle badge to prove it!

[GSlob]

"the Swiss system as an example: Each law-abiding male of proper age is issued and trained in the use of a firearm, and must keep it at his home. In many cantons, owners of handguns are allowed to carry them concealed."
A former Swiss co-worker of mine once mentioned to me that while they have assault rifles in almost every house, the ammo for these is much tighter controlled, and far from widespread. Maybe other FReepers with more direct experience could clarify.

[Non-Sequitur]

Someone please explain the difference between 'right' and 'obligation' to this jackass.

[labette]

I'll be traveling to Oklahoma tomorrow, and celebrating the Second Amendment at the Tulsa Gun Show.
The BIG one.

[68skylark]

Every person between the ages of 16 and 50 without a felony record should be required to own and be trained in the use of a firearm.

Terrible idea. I can think of dozens of reasons why this kind of blanket rule is undesirable.

[Names Ash Housewares]

You will never see an anti-gun nut put a "gun free home" sign on their house!

I have a Ruger Mini-14 (first gun I bought in 1985), Taurus 9mm (bought this when I turned 21), Colt 380 Mustang pocketlite, Ruger 10-22 with scope, Sig Sauer P229 40SW (this is such a cool handgun).

[Tribune7]

A liberal looks at America and sees 300 million potential criminals.

A conservatives looks at America and sees 300 million potential deputies.

[El Gato]

Some believe this applies strictly to the rights of the states to maintain a militia, and that no private ownership of weapons is inherently guaranteed.

The Congress of the United States disagrees. Just yesterday they officially found (HR 800/S. 397 was passed by the House and sent to to the President)

(1) The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

(2) The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the rights of individuals, including those who are not members of a militia or engaged in military service or training, to keep and bear arms.

[faireturn]

The author proposes:

I'd like to use the Swiss system as an example:
Each law-abiding male of proper age is issued and trained in the use of a firearm, and must keep it at his home. In many cantons, owners of handguns are allowed to carry them concealed.

I'd modify this system to include females as well, and make concealed carry universal.

---

The USA is long overdue in passing such a 'rite of citizenship' amendment.

A short voluntary course in basic defense tactics and the obligations of constitutional citizenship could be offered to all would be voters at 18..
They would graduate with the right to vote and a surplus rifle, after taking this oath:

OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, sovereignty or philosophy of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen;
that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic;
that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;
that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law;
that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law;
that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law;
and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."

[LearnsFromMistakes]

I think I’ve found the proper solution to this debate: Every person between the ages of 16 and 50 without a felony record should be required to own and be trained in the use of a firearm. It’s that simple.

The Iowa constitution has it's own definition: The militia of this state shall be composed of all able-bodied male citizens, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, except such as are or may hereafter be exempt by the laws of the United States, or of this state, and shall be armed, equipped, and trained, as the general assembly may provide by law. From http://www.legis.state.ia.us/Constitution.html

[layman]

“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

I completely agree with the author. It is important that language has precise meaning if thoughts and ideas are to be passed down through generations. I believe the founders meant to convey, "Because a well regulated militia is necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." They might have been careless in their language, but I don't see how any objective person could interpret it any other way.

[vigilence]

I recommend a AR-10 for everyone. 7.62 (.380) will do the job.

[paul51]

Everyone should own a firearm

One is not nearly enough but I guess it's a start. Everyone should own a bunch of guns. As far as 16 - 50. Get serious. Have to make it 16 - death.

[ASOC]

I would assume that a "WELL-REGULATED" militia is one that is well lead and repectfull of the law. Such has not always been the case - to wit: "One of the early events of historical significance to this area was the Massacre at Hauns Mill. Jacob Hauns built the mill on Shoal Creek about ten miles south of Breckenridge in 1836.

At the time of the attack there was a mill, black smith shop, and perhaps half a dozen houses. About twenty families were living there, either in cabins, tents or wagons, some having recently arrived being in transit to Far West, a large Mormon town about thirty miles further to the west. Governor Boggs had given the order for all Mormons to be driven from the state.

After having camped about three miles to the north of Breckenridge, the Livingston County Militia led by Col. Wm. O Jennings attacked the Mormons at Hauns Mill on the afternoon of October 30, 1838. The Mormons having thought that they had reached a truce with the local militia were taken completely by surprise. In the ensuing attack all able-bodied men were either killed or driven off, as were the women and children.

Seventeen men and boys were killed and twelve were wounded. The following morning the survivors returned and placed the dead in a partially finished well located near the mill and then departed for Far West."

And then Wounded Knee "The problem was exacerbated by the presence of military troops on the reservation for the first time in ten years (including Custer’s old unit, the 7th Cavalry, which was predictably spoiling for a fight), and the irresponsible raiding onto the reservation by the civilian "Home Guard", hastily organized on the orders of Governor Mellette.

Led by another hot-head, M.H. Day of Rapid City, the militia provoked several skirmishes, adding fuel to the fire.

Kings River, California; Ludlow, Colorado; and so on. People by themselves may be perfectly reasonable, but get group of hotheads together, add rumors or bad blood, thingas can go from bad to worse. Adding automatic weapons is just not the thing to cure the underlying problems.

If you think I am out of line, flame away - just remember to go back and look at the most recent footage from Ohio..... and ask yourself, what would have happend if these gangbangers brought the family AK to the picnic?

out here.