- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
re: How the NRA Rewrote the Second Amendment
Posted on 5/20/14 at 3:25 pm to Ace Midnight
Posted on 5/20/14 at 3:25 pm to Ace Midnight
But you guys have told me that the Second is about our own government. Why are we even discussing foreign actors?
It's irrelevant to the argument. The Founders said nothing about the government getting one class of weapons and the citizens getting another.
It's irrelevant to the argument. The Founders said nothing about the government getting one class of weapons and the citizens getting another.
This post was edited on 5/20/14 at 3:26 pm
Posted on 5/20/14 at 5:15 pm to boosiebadazz
quote:
But you guys have told me that the Second is about our own government. Why are we even discussing foreign actors?
Because that is part of it - militia is actually mentioned in the Amendment. At the time, there were the terrible Frenchmen and savage Indians on the frontiers of the fledgling country. We had just repelled the Brits (in throwing off our own government) and were concerned they weren't gone for good (they weren't, War of 1812, and such).
Boosie - you're better than this.
If I tell you the First Amendment is about freedom of speech, then later point out it protects religious expression, are you going to say:
"Hold up, Ace - you just said the First Amendment protected speech - now you're talking about religion. Make up your mind."
So, I'm telling you the 2nd Amendment has at least 3 objectives:
1. Check on power of the state
2. Deter foreign invasion (nation of riflemen)
3. Individual (and community) self-defense
Posted on 5/20/14 at 5:30 pm to boosiebadazz
quote:
But you guys have told me that the Second is about our own government. Why are we even discussing foreign actors?
Read Federalist #46. James Madison:
quote:
The highest number to which, according to the best computation, a standing army can be carried in any country, does not exceed one hundredth part of the whole number of souls; or one twenty-fifth part of the number able to bear arms. This proportion would not yield, in the United States, an army of more than twenty-five or thirty thousand men. To these would be opposed a militia amounting to near half a million of citizens with arms in their hands, officered by men chosen from among themselves, fighting for the common liberties and united and conducted by governments possessing their affections and confidence. It may well be doubted whether a militia thus circumstanced could ever be conquered by such a proportion of regular troops. Those who are best acquainted with the late successful resistance of this country against the British arms will be most inclined to deny the possibility of it. Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation, the existence of subordinate governments, to which the people are attached and by which the militia officers are appointed, forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition, more insurmountable than any which a simple government of any form can admit of. Notwithstanding the military establishments of the several kingdoms of Europe, which are carried as far as the public resources will bear, the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.
Popular
Back to top
![logo](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/images/layout/TDIcon.jpg)