Quote:Advocate:
I think we got into a little tiff before about your erroneous presumption
that I have done no reading or research on a given topic.
I still find it a little condescending when you assume that.
That 's just his nature.
Quote:I don't treat your opinion in such a cavalier manner,
I expect reciprocal treatment.
Whether he is capable of that
is an open question.
Quote:My interest in the subject of gun control extends back for many years.
Mainly because I consider it a bell weather topic vis-a-vis erosion of the rights
guaranteed to us by the Constitution.
So stipulated.
Quote:The Constitution would not have been passed, in all probability,
had it not been for the Bill of Rights.
Indeed.
It was stopped in Virginia by the Anti-federalists, led by Patrick Henry,
who threatened to call a second constitutional convention,
if no bill of rights were enacted.
Quote:Since the Constitution is the instrument that supposedly guides our Government,
and incidently, the document I swore to uphold
against "...all enemies, both foreign and domestic.."
all those years ago.... I have a vested interest in assuring myself
that our "Big Brother" Government does not exceed the size of it's britches.
ONLY the Constitution stands between us
and a government of unlimited power
such as those of Stalin, Hitler and Saddam.
Quote:The Constitution sets up a pretty strong "Central Government".
There was genuine fear, back then, that the Government would assume too much power.
INDEED.
That was the subject of much discussion
in the press of the day, which still survives;
hence, we KNOW the thoughts of the Founders;
NONE of whom -- not even one of them --
expressed any desire for gun control,
nor any recognition of the legitimacy thereof.
Among the surviving writings
is a letter from Thomas Jefferson to his 12 year old nephew,
whom Jefferson counsels always to take his gun with him
when he goes out for a walk, and to become proficient with it.
That advice can
STILL save your life,
( tho criminals unarmed victims ).
Quote:Hence the Bill of Rights.
Without actually saying so,
the 2nd amendment guarantees the right of the citizens a means
by which a tyrannical Government, should one appear, be thwarted.
Thay were still breathing hard and nursing their wounds
from the overthrow of tyranny, when thay wrote the Bill of Rights.
Thay knew tyranny up close n personal.
The 2nd Amendment was the eraser on the federal pencil.
By assuring an armed populace,
the Founders
physically put sovereignty into the hands of the citizens
.
US Supreme Ct Justice Joseph Story (1811-1845) said:
"The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered
as the Palladium
of the liberties of the republic since it offers
a strong moral check against usurpation and arbitrary power of the rulers;
and will generally...enable the people to resist and triumph over them."
His view was adopted by the US Supreme Ct in US v. MILLER,
together with that of Judge Thomas Cooley who reiterated that idea, adding:
"The meaning of the provision...is that the people ...shall have
the right to keep and bear arms and they need no permission or regulation of law for the purpose."
The Constitution no more allows any government to control guns than
to edit the Bible or control who has one.
Quote:The other view of the 2nd amendment is the right of self defence.
When the US Constitution and Bill of Rights were enacted,
during the 17OOs,
there were NO POLICE anywhere in the USA,
nor had police existed in Colonial America, nor in England.
The concept of a police force first BEGAN during the 18OOs
(both in America and in England).
Accordingly, during the 17OOs, if one were attacked by a violent criminal,
a predatory animal, or madman, it was as imperative as it was
paradigmatic that he have the means to handle the situation himself,
and this was the world that the Founding Fathers knew
when they drew the social and political contract that is the US Constitution.
Quote:I would wish that all of humanity would live together in peace and harmony and that no man would raise his hand against another. But you know, and I know, that as long as there is but one soul who does not "buy into" that program, the concept MUST be consigned to the realm of "wishful thinking".
Which leaves me back to my statement:
" (Weapons) ...are the last insurance policy I never expect to need."
But it's nice to know the option is available, if necessary.
Halfback
SO STIPULATED
David 
