Quote:
Originally Posted by buggyone
I like to remind them that the 2nd amendment about having the right to bear arms was part of the militia (National Guard of their day) and that the writers of the Constitution did not envision M-16's, Glock 9mm's, AK-47's and the other semi-automatics that are now part of their arsenal. If these people want a firearm, let it be the firearm that the writers of the constitution had in mind - a flintlock musket or pistol.
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Not *entirely* true.
The "militia" of the time meant any person who could answer the call to the town common. A member of the militia could leave at any time (unlike if you were in the Continental Army and had signed up for a specific period of time).
The phrase is "well-regulated militia". Back then "well-regulated" meant what we would think of today as "well-trained" - meaning you COULD hit the broad side of a barn. But later on, the Ammendment reinforces the meaning with "the right of the *people*" to bear arms being clearly stated.
And as far as weaponry.. Well, let's remember that the flintlock muskets WERE the assault weapon of the day.