Posted on 06/06/2015 1:33:53 PM PDT by Chi-townChief
A new Pew Research Center report states that 52 percent of Americans support gun rights, the highest percentage in the last two decades. Yet the gun rights that they believe are guaranteed by law may very well be an illusion..
That's because we have allowed lawyers instead of language professionals to interpret the Constitution of the United States.
Ask any high school English teacher to parse the Second Amendment, and they will say that it does not prohibit common-sense restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns, in spite of the National Rifle Association's claim to the contrary. The proof lies in the amendment's exact language — "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."
Literally, it means that the American people will retain the right to carry weapons as members of a state militia in order to safeguard their freedom.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Maybe he should teach the kids how to read and write.
Next it will be “common-sense restrictions” on the First Amendment.
There is a reason that there is a different set of requirements for English teachers and those with a real degree.
So....were it not for the Second Amendment -- state militias would be unarmed?
The “professor” neither understands simple English nor teh Constitution, nor respects or supports either.
Ah well ... one good turn, as they say ...
The term “militia” refers to all those citizens who are eligible for military service. If he were to look at Switzerland, he would have a better understanding of what “well-regulated” means.
From what I understand, “well-regulated” in the English of the day was equivalent to “well-trained.”
...will retain the right to carry weapons as members of a state militia
The absurdity of this statement - that an amendment needed to be written to allow one to carry a weapon, while in the service of the government, is just mind boggling.
I want to Repeal the 16th ...
“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.””
See that comma after free state, now read the second part of the sentence. Don’t have to be a lawyer, just need to be an English teacher.
To some extent, the use of commas is an art rather than a science – a matter of the writer’s personal style and intended meaning.
However, following these three patterns of comma usage will help make your sentences clear:
• Use commas to separate items in a series.
• Use a comma in a compound sentence before the coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, for, yet, so) that joins the two independent clauses (complete sentences).
• Use a comma to set off nonessential elements that precede, interrupt, or follow the independent clause.
The historical context of a well-regulated militia
“The Military Act of 1757 defined a “well-regulated militia” as all 18-to-45-year-old males who were not already a member of the regular English forces and who are declared by authority are subject to call to military service. The act called for penalties and fines for all males who did not bear arms, detailed the militia ranks of authority, required the colonial government to provide arms to the poor, required the amount of dry powder to hold in reserve, and outlined exemptions for clergy, etc.”
The clause simply provides the reason for the Amendment but categorically does not qualify “shall not be infringed,” limiting it to all adult males subject to draft.
There are one or two pitiful anti-gunners trying to add their 2 cents, but they are being overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
My personal use of commas is all about the way I would speak. If I have a short pause when I say/read a sentence, I use a comma to show that pause. Certainly not always right, and I do follow the rules you’ve shown, well,,,,, I sometimes over-commatize!
Too many commas can cause lapses in consciousness. (commatose)
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