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Politics : Libertarian Discussion Forum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: William Marsh who wrote (4082)	8/30/2000 1:58:43 PM
From: Jim S	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 13062

Individuals have a right to bear arms so they can serve in the militia, so they can protect the state. I really like that. While I assume that you didn't intend it as humor, it really IS funny. Let's see if we can make the same sort of interpretation for other amendments: - Congress can't make laws about religion, because the State IS the religion. - Freedom of speech and press are allowed because the State needs these for its own propaganda. Thus, individuals only have this freedom to the extent they support the State. - People may assemble to support the the State, any other assemblies are not allowed. - Peoples' security in their homes, papers, and effects only applies at the forbearance of the State; since all property belongs to the State, the people may use such property only as long as the State permits. Shall I go on? You see where your logic leads. At least, I see where your logic leads, and I don't even want to go there. jim

To: William Marsh who wrote (4082)	8/30/2000 3:44:56 PM
From: The Philosopher	Respond to of 13062

Jefferson et. al. were not so much interested in protecting the state as they were in protecting the citizens FROM a state out of control. As long as there was an armed citizenry, state power was limited. No more.

To: William Marsh who wrote (4082)	12/2/2000 10:32:58 PM
From: TimF	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 13062

Finally, as to your question Mr. Street: Why is the second in the constitution? I think I have given my answer: Individuals have a right to bear arms so they can serve in the militia, so they can protect the state. Even if we assume you are right that the reason for the 2nd amendment is so that individuals have a right to bear arms so they can serve in the militia that would not limit the right to members of the militia. If we were writing a constitution today and we decided to include a phrase that said "the need for people to travel is important and so the right of people to keep and drive cars shall not be infringed", that would not mean the the right would be limited to people who can and desire to drive there cars, and so would not give people a constitutional right to own cars that they keep in a private collection or museum. Tim