Regarding Saul Cornell's opinion piece (Ideas, Feb. 13)[update -- wire service column, not posted]:
The proof for the gun rights advocates lays in the language of the amendment ("a well-regulated militia") or a gathering of free men ("being necessary to the security of a free state") in defense of an idea or purpose ("the right of people to keep and bear arms").
This is the key. This line in the amendment solidifies the notion that our rights are ours, not the government's to mold or twist (shall not be infringed) or be fooled with.
What Cornell fails to realize is that the Justice Department is not trying to infringe but expand our ability to keep and bear arms.
Mark Parlato
Greensboro
Comments (3)
Mark, I can't find the original letter you refer to (or a lot of other stuff on here, this blog thing is a real maze).
However, it's important to remember that the purpose of the Bill Of Rights is to limit the federal government's intrusion into our lives. In other words, it's intended to protect the people from the government, not give the government power over the people. The purpose of the 2nd Amendment is to make sure the citizens can defend themselves against a tyrannical government.
Posted by John Appel | February 19, 2005 11:47 AM
Saul Cornell left out a few more details in his screed.
In the Second, "Regulated" means well equipped. That is that each person would have serviceable weapons and powder and ball to feed them. That is what that word meant at the time it was written. It has nothing at all to do with the government controlling anything.
And Militia meant all able body males between 15 and 48 years old. And was sometimes stretched as to younger and older men.
The intent was to protect all people and their means of defense from the government interfering with them. The Second mearly states that it was necessary for the general population to be well armed and equipped if the country was to remain free.
Posted by Mac | February 19, 2005 5:53 PM
thanks for your response, glad to know I am not the only one that feels this way
Posted by mark parlato | February 19, 2005 7:07 PM