Posted on 07/16/2004 8:59:00 AM PDT by neverdem
Since the Constitution contemplates the private ownership of warships (Letters of Marque in Article 1 Section 8) I don't think it reasonable to limit arms in this manner. We should look at the practice of the early Republic, where there were militia artillery units. Functionally we should ask ourselves, which weapons are needed to overthrow our government in the event that it becomes a danger to our liberties? Those weapons are protected by the 2nd Amendment. In this day and age that means jets and tanks.
Most "guns" on privateer craft were the 1" - 3" swivel guns, not really big.
Then what about the extremely good point about privateers?
Excellent snip. This shows some of the paradoxes that confront the SCOTUS on a near-daily basis. With the Ninth Circus Court of Appeals ignoring over 200 years of precedence, they once again show just how out of touch they can be.
And so y'all agree to appoint another tyrant, another beyond Sarah Brady, to define a cannon's caliber. Is .50 inch an 'arm' or a cannon?
Is a .223 inch bursting charge fired from an 'arm' or a cannon? Come come, lets be specific about the hairs we split.
Which part of 'infringed' do you not understand? Or are y'all Narional Reasonable-regulation Ass. members or worse?
Funny you should mention Militia...look at my profile.
I do Rev-war re-enacting. That's a .69 Charleville Corrige' AN IX 1777 I am holding...it does pack a punch :)
FYI-Z
Hah? You must be kidding! Swivel guns were few. How many ships have you ever seen w/more than 4 swivels, mounted either fore or aft? How could these guys accomplish anything w/o full-size naval/siege cannon bristling along the bow, under deck?
The issue regarding privateers had nothing to do with the People's right to keep and bear arms. The Congress granted letters of marque to ships of the line that could be used in times of National crises. We have the classic Apple vs. Orange line up with this.
Sorry - not true. The range of ships used by privateers was quite large. They did not appear to include ships of the line, but did include vessels up to the size of navy sloops and cutters. Over 1700 letters o marque were issued in the revolutionary war. http://www.nps.gov/revwar/about_the_revolution/privateers.html
Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom? Congress shall have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birth-right of an American? The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the People.
-- Tench Coxe, The Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb 20, 1788
Do I need to post Barbary Pirate info as well? Or will you accede the point that the Second covers much more than just muskets and calvary sabers?
Pay special attention to post #29
You don't understand the use of letters of marque at all. They were used by many countries, not just ours. Armed merchant men were common at the time. It absolutely has bearing since armed merchant ships existed prior to the issuance of a letter of marque. A letter of marque was not a permit to arm a ship. It was a hunting license.
.50 cal falls under the definition of arms. It isn't until you break into the 1.0 cal that the definition becomes grey. We folk in the military classify all arms as ordnance, but only for supply purposes. The term is accepted as artillery or delivered weaponry.
If the founders wanted to the government to regulate firearms, they would have said so. It's that easy.
and they couldn't. Though I am not into Naval warfare, I do know some of the militia gunboats consisted of such.
See post 10?
"In fact, the reason the FedGov hired so many privateers was BECAUSE they were ***already*** armed."
So why didn't they disarm (or perhaps, disordnance?) these men prior to any extracurricular service if only small arms are included in the 2ndA?
Largest weapon I ever shot was a .458 Win Mag and I have NO desire to try that .69 caliber cannon LOL!
You would love it, I load a 65grain charge and it has litle kick, but big bang. A 12 gauge has more kick.
All gun laws are unconstitutional. If I want to park an fully loaded A-10 in my yard as long as I can afford it it is non of the Govt. business.
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