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Originally Posted by starkind
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Also this video demonstrates why civilians shouldn't bare arms unless they are part of and on a mission from said well regulated militia.
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The English language changes over time. You ARE part of that well-regulated militia, by 1790's understanding of what that phrase meant. The militia was understood to be any able-bodied man from about 14 to 60 or so. "Well-regulated" must be understood in context of its era--ordinary professional soldiers were called "regulars." The idea was that the militia (meaning the general populace) should be equipped as well as the regular army, thus eliminating the need for the nation to maintain a large standing army. "Well-regulated," in that context, meant what we today would call "well equipped." They meant it, too. An ordinary citizen, back then, could own anything the army could: Not just small arms, but bombs, grenades, rockets, field artillery--absolutely everything up to fully-armed naval warships. The folks who founded this nation thought large standing armies were evil things and wanted to ensure their new nation wouldn't NEED a large permanent standing army. They even got away with it for awhile, but it's been a long time since the U.S. army was small.
Of course technology changes over time, too. I might argue that I don't particularly want my neighbor fielding nuclear weapons or Sarin gas canisters, and maybe the second amendment as-written is perhaps a bit out of date--but fix it via the constitutional amendment process, not by "interpreting" rights out of existence. I've never liked that kind of weasel tactic and never will.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bardp1999
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Not sure why cops even needs guns really - give them bean bag rifles, clubs, and stun guns IMO
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My opinion of the police (and I used to do that job, years back) is that since they're part of the citizenry, they should have access to the same things anyone else in their area has--no more, no less. I don't like turning the police into a militaristic occupying army.
Danth
04-21-2021, 03:43 PM
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