Paul Helmke: "Should The Public Be Able To Get The Types Of Guns We Use In Iraq? "
Well Pailie, I say 'dam straight'. But enough about me, let's hear what some experts on the Constitution and the 2A have to say on that.
Patrick Henry: "Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined...The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun.Samuel Adams: "The Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms."
Thomas Jefferson: "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."
And Paulie, before you retort with that militia thingy, read thsi...
George Mason: "Who are the militia? They consist of the whole people, except a few public officers."
Now drink your bottle, have your mama tuck you in and say night-night.
(oh and the 2A ain't about 'hunting' - unless the topic is hunting tyrants.)
Unverified. And many have tried. It does sound like something Jefferson might have said or written about the time the Bill of Rights was passed. The first part, "No free man shall..." is from his proposed declaration of rights for the Virginia constitution. In the event his version, which was limited to "within his own lands or tenements)" was not adopted. (The () indicated that he thought that part might be optional) Instead, the following was adopted:
The Constitution of Virginia
June 29, 1776
Bill of Rights; June 12, 1776
A declaration of rights made by the representatives of the good people of Virginia, assembled in full and free convention; which rights do pertain to them and their posterity, as the basis and foundation of government.
SEC. 13. That a well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defence of a free State; that standing armies, in time of peace, should be avoided, as dangerous to liberty; and that in all cases the military should be under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power.
Jefferson did say:
"The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that... it is their right and duty to be at all times armed." --Thomas Jefferson to John Cartwright, 1824. ME 16:45