Would you care to postulate a theory on how they might interpret it?
“Liberty of hand and brain -- of thought and labor, liberty is a word hated by kings -- loathed by popes. It is a word that shatters thrones and altars -- that leaves the crowned without subjects, and the outstretched hand of superstition without alms. Liberty is the blossom and fruit of justice -- the perfume of mercy. Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy. “ (Robert G. Ingersoll 1894)
...the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed
Infringe: Encroach, advance, move on (in other words the government is to stay away from the people's right to bear arms)
We have already seen the extremes of arguments posted here. We have seen the argument based on the original statements by founding fathers who instigated the second amendment to support the possession of arms in an unrestricted (un infringed upon) manner. And the argument that in order to reduce gun violence the government must begin to remove guns from the hands of citizens, and be the decision maker on who, where, and how a person may get governmental permission to hold a gun (see your post on New York City law). The government already restricts (infringes upon) their right to keep them and makes owning a gun, or bearing arms subject to governmental conditions. So I see a dynamic movement toward greater restrictions and reductions in the right to keep or bear arms. If the trend of the past 50 years is allowed to continue the purpose of the 2nd amendment becomes circumvented. Will it? It could but I am not a fortune teller so I don't know.
"What country can preserve it's liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let them take arms." (Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, Dec. 20, 1787, in Papers of Jefferson, ed. Boyd et al.)
Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined. --Patrick Henry 1778 "The people are not to be disarmed of their weapons. They are left in full possession of them." (Zachariah Johnson)
"The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed." (Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist Papers at 184-8)
Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretence, raised in the United States. A military force, at the command of Congress, can execute no laws, but such as the people perceive to be just and constitutional; for they will possess the power, and jealousy will instantly inspire the inclination, to resist the execution of a law which appears to them unjust and oppressive.
---Noah Webster, An Examination of the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution (Philadelphia 1787).
No freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms.
---Thomas Jefferson: Draft Virginia Constitution, 1776. They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
---Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759. We established however some, although not all its [self-government] important principles . The constitutions of most of our States assert, that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves, in all cases to which they think themselves competent, (as in electing their functionaries executive and legislative, and deciding by a jury of themselves, in all judiciary cases in which any fact is involved,) or they may act by representatives, freely and equally chosen; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed;
---Thomas Jefferson to John Cartwright, 1824. Memorial Edition 16:45, Lipscomb and Bergh, editors. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks.
--- Thomas Jefferson to Peter Carr, 1785. The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, (Memorial Edition) Lipscomb and Bergh, editors.
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