And some things that you didn't want to know. Start at the subsection titled, "Conflict and compromise" and read.

Somebody has decided to be funny, and didn't do a great job.

Didn't Marrion Barry also get re-elected AFTER his little binge with Cocaine?

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
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Mike I'm not to worried. On a national level I don't think they could every seize guns. Well at least not without a civil war and an attempt to overthrow the government. When the government stops serving the needs of the people, that government needs to be changed. If they ever try to do that it would be time to kick everyone out of Washington, and put a new government in place that is more willing to uphold the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

The time for that is already LOOOOOOOOOONG overdue.

Mike

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1979 300 SD
350,000 miles
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1982 300D-gone---sold to a buddy
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1985 300TD
270,000 miles
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1994 E320
not my favorite, but the wife wanted it

www.myspace.com/mikemover
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Don't expect that our government would use a tactic of overnight confiscation. The real problem is the slow erosion of our civil liberties.

When we wake up, it is often already too late.

Here is the text of the Second Ammendment:

"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."

or alternatively (the difference being a comma after "militia"):

"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."

Now I've done a fair bit of US history/politics study in my day and one of the things I don't understand is how the "well regulated militia" part doesn't impact the right to keep and bear arms. I've always interpreted this to mean that in order to keep and bear arms, one must be a member of a well regulated militia. But the meaning of the ammendment seems to have evolved into just the right for people to keep and bear arms, almost turning it into a bumper sticker that acts as a flashpoint between two very opposing views. Its just as divisive as Roe v. Wade, if not more so.

In an historical context I understand where your founding fathers were coming from. They had the idea of having a citizenry able to police the government by rising up in arms to take power back from another King George III or like despot, if the whole "checks and balances" thing fails at some point. Your Constitution and Bill of Rights is an exercise in risk management, with the goal being the enshrinement of civil liberties for citizens. What I don't understand is the modern interpretation and how it evolved to not really ever mention the "well regulated militia" part.

Can someone explain that to me without degenerating into pro-gun/anti-gun hyperbole?

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Jonathan

2011 Mazda2
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1994 C280 (retired)

No.

Bot

The original militia's were regular citizens that grabed there rifles and went off and shot at the British. They drilled a bit but I wouldn't call them "well regulated".

Our government is all about balancing power, so that no one branch or person can get to powerfull. I think the second ammendment was ment as a power check on the government. IE don't piss the people off to much or they will rise up, and can rise up against you.


There are a lot of heavly armed Americans out there, I have little doubt that with enough provication we couldn't put up a good fight against the government.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6827679956771459066&q=knob+creek+machine+gun+shoot&hl=en
Never underestimate the American citizen, we fought the British army to a stand still.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Some good work is the key word here. The NRA is a business like any other business---google the Teamsters for a similar business. I had a lifetime membership and quite a bit of gun insurance with them and renounced both about 5 years ago.

I agree.
&
Me too. Except about 15 years ago.
They still call me about once a month asking for money though.
Their big thing now seems to be: If you don’t support the NRA with a donation - Someone will be taking your guns away next week. And other “scare tactics“.

If (as) most of my guns were cash purchases from friends, folks walking around gun shows or given to me as gifts. I don’t see how anyone would know what I have to begin with. And, I’d certainly think I’d get some sort of heads-up before they just came knocking at my door with a search warrant.

As for tracking my CHL: “ Well - That was for this little Colt right here. You can have it. Have a nice day.”

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

Do you mean we could put up a fight? I am guessing you are joking.

Kinda like terrorists, they get spread out and you're too mobile and disorganized to be targeted as a whole. It would work, but kinda be tough. Wouldn't take long before some blow'd up Police and gov't buildings and they'd listen a little.

Agreed. Armed citizens are no match for an Army. My defenses will be used for home protection and in the event of civil unrest, to defend my stash of property and food.

Especially if these heavily armed citizens are ones like the guy with the picture of the riot-pump above that has low-brass shells hanging on the stock.

I join the NRA about as often as I join the ACLU--every decade or so when I get pissed-off at something some deranged bureaucrat does. The rest of the time I find those groups too obnoxiously self-righteous.

B