What the founders had to say about the 2nd amendment.

[Theophilus]

I found out about this article from friends.

"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."

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/silveira58.html

It occurs to me after reading the article that the founders did not intend the second ammendment to grant the right to keep and bear arms.  Rather, the right pre-existed the second ammendment.  The second ammendment simply affirms the right.

It is possible then, that whenever we use the phrase "second ammendment rights" we may already be in danger of losing any argument regarding them, because that phrase frames the argument.

Thanks, Appleseed, for waking us up.  Now to wake up others.

Theophilus

[ID_Hezekiah]

Excellent read and great information regarding the basis and intent!  Thanks for sharing and I will carry this message forward!

[Josey Wales]

 

[PHenry]

From what I have read, the Founders placed great stock in what they termed "Natural Rights". Rights so obvious, they must certainly have been granted by the Creator of all living things. They believed that such rights did in fact, predate civilization itself. Several of the Founders stated clearly that the rights listed in the BOR were all Natural Rights and further that the BOR did not grant any of the rights listed therein, but merely delineated them for all to see.

Governments do not grant any rights. What governments grant are merely privileges that can be revoked at any time. Government "authority" is perhaps the most dangerous notion ever to plague mankind, for what danger does a madman pose until millions accept and obey his "authority"? Thomas Jefferson wrote of "un-a-lien-able" rights. He used the term very precisely. Unalienable rights are rights that can neither be surrendered nor taken. Nor do such rights require the exercise thereof in order to be maintained.

Language was important to Thomas Jefferson and he did not hold that opinion alone. It is critical to accurate communication and to Liberty, for always evil men will seek to subvert the meaning of the written word in order to achieve selfish goals.

The right to religion, free speech, and free assembly. The right to arms and property. Natural rights all. The kind granted by a just God and not the province of mere mortals. 

[Audrey]

I remember learning about the Bill of Rights as Natural Rights in school. It's amazing how people forget what they're taught or simply didn't pay attention in the first place. I guess as a history-lover (even as a child) I was ahead of the game. Good read; I like how he expands his point to go beyond just the second amendment too.