Subject:
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Re: New Web Page
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Fri, 14 May 1999 21:13:49 GMT
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Viewed:
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806 times
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Jeff Stembel wrote:
>
> In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Lee Jorgensen writes:
> > Mike Stanley wrote:
> >
> > > <everything snipped>
> >
> > I would have to agree with Mike. The biggest problem with
> > gun legislation, is that it's in the second amendment of the US
> > Constitution. Spelled out specifically.
>
> It says: "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."
>
> Now, what is a militia? According to dictionary.com, militia means "In the
> widest sense, the whole military force of a nation, including both those
> engaged in military service as a business, and those competent and available
> for such service; specifically, the body of citizens enrolled for military
> instruction and discipline, but not subject to be called into actual service
> except in emergencies." or "Military service; warfare."
When the British marched on Concord April 19, 1775, the militia
essentially consisted every able bodied citizen. I believe that the 2nd
amendment is specifically referring to an informal militia NOT
controlled by the wider government (though perhaps controlled by the
town government).
> What this means is that to keep the country secure, a well regulated military
> force is necessary. Members of said military force are allowed to keep
> weapons. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't National Guardsman and
> Reservists keep their weapons at home? Soldiers live in barracks with their
> weapons, right?
It is not until more modern times that the U.S. has felt a need to
maintain a standing army. In fact, one of the complaints against the
British was that the colonists were being required to foot the bill of
maintaining a standing army (whose purpose was to guarantee the
interests of the King, not of the populace). That is why there is also
statements about the billetting of troops ect. in the Bill of Rights
(don't recall which specific amendment this is in, but its there).
> If it is read to mean any citizen can keep arms (notice it doesn't say
> firearms), then they can be called apon to go to war for the country and they
> must attend training (well regulated) probably similar to what Reservists and
> Guardsman attend.
I think it is easy to infer that arms includes guns (even cannon), the
British were marching on Concord to capture stockpiles of muskets,
cannon, and ammunition.
--
Frank Filz
-----------------------------
Work: mailto:ffilz@us.ibm.com
Home: mailto:ffilz@mindspring.com
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: New Web Page
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| (...) It says: "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." Now, what is a militia? According to dictionary.com, militia means "In the widest (...) (26 years ago, 14-May-99, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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