blatham wrote:oralloy wrote:
Quote:but an armed populace is one essential component without which freedom is impossible.
This isn't an empirical claim. It is a philosophical view or, more accurately, a definitional statement - if a population cannot own firearms then it is not free, period, by definition. No arguing with that.
But only a fool, or a species of American NRA member, would go on to claim that Britain or Australia or the numerous jurisdictions where gun ownership is more controlled and less pervasive than is the case in the US are all therefore less free than America.
Well then label me as a species of NRA member, because I am appalled by the lack of freedom in those two countries.
blatham wrote:It's really difficult to understand how this old equation makes any sense in the modern world. Citzenry can not hope to even approach a balance of firepower with the state, the presumed danger. Ought you not to demand the right to carry/own cluster bombs and pocket nukes?
It isn't about fighting off the government. The Framers of the Constitution wanted the militia to prevent tyranny by fighting FOR the government.
The Framers felt that, by fighting for the government, the militia would eliminate the need for a standing army. And they felt that without a standing army, tyranny would be impossible.
For most of those who acquire firearms to fight danger today, the presumed danger is the common criminal and/or wild animals.
Many don't acquire guns with danger in mind at all. For instance, I hope to one day get a submachinegun solely for the purpose of shooting tin cans and other inanimate targets.