[robertpaulsen]

Actually, when it comes to your RKBA, that is a states rights issue.

Your RKBA is defined and protected by your state constitution, not the second amendment.

The second amendment is a restriction on the federal government only. And we should thank God every morning that it is so, and pray that it remains that way.

I do not want the federal government protecting my RKBA. No more than I want a fox protecting my hen house.

[Turbopilot]

The second amendment is a restriction on the federal government only.

Doesn't Section 1 of the 14th amendment require the several States to obey the same restrictions on government that are imposed on the Federal government?

I do not want the federal government protecting my RKBA.

I don't think the Bill of Rights has to do with the Federal government "protecting" your rights. It merely prevents them (and, by virtue of the 14th Amendment, the States as well) from infringing on those rights. At least that's the way it was supposed to work. :-/

[Pearls Before Swine]

Actually, when it comes to your RKBA, that is a states rights issue.

Let me think about that for a moment. I understand that under our system, the Constitution sets limits on the Federal government, and does not give it powers that are not enumerated (theoretically speaking, of course).

That sounds plausible at first read, but taking it a bit farther, your logic is that the 2nd Amendment is a limitation on the Federal government, but not on the individual states. But, by that argument, wouldn't the States be able to pass laws which affect areas denied to the Federal Government by other areas of the Constitution -- such as free speech or protection against unreasonable search and seizure? (Not that this hasn't already been done in many ways.)

As far as you not trusting the Feds about our RKBA, I'd say neither the Feds nor a good number of the states are to be trusted.

[ellery]

Actually, when it comes to your RKBA, that is a states rights issue. Your RKBA is defined and protected by your state constitution, not the second amendment. The second amendment is a restriction on the federal government only. And we should thank God every morning that it is so, and pray that it remains that way. I do not want the federal government protecting my RKBA. No more than I want a fox protecting my hen house.

Amen.