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To: Mojave
The Bill of Rights is a set of declaratory restrictions on the powers granted to the federal government by the states.

The intent of the Bill of Rights was not quite that statist. Yes, it reserved powers and rights to the states respectively, but also to the people. The second amendment specifically declares the right to keep and bear arms is a right OF THE PEOPLE, that shall not be infringed. The 9th amendment states that the enumeration of certain rights does not deny or disparage other rights that are retained by the people. You seem to be making the statist argument that even though the right of the people is specifically enumerated, since the broad language of "shall not be infringed" failed to specify "neither congress nor the states shall infringe the right of the people" the states somehow retained the power to restrict an enumerated right. And at the same time, you keep mentioning original intent?

69 posted on 06/04/2009 7:04:16 AM PDT by VRWCmember
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To: VRWCmember
Yes, it reserved powers and rights to the states respectively, but also to the people.

The United States Constitution did not create the states. The United States Constitution was not the source of state powers.

The United States Constitution delegated certain limited powers to the federal government. Any rights reserved were reserved from those delegated powers.

Statists, such as yourself, prefer centralized government and legislation from the federal bench.

72 posted on 06/04/2009 7:11:30 AM PDT by Mojave (Don't blame me. I voted for McClintock.)
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