tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post7275245918451267166..comments2024-03-21T21:53:01.837-05:00Comments on Boston 1775: More Linguistic Analysis of the Second AmendmentUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post-56336250651214717962018-09-01T14:16:58.180-05:002018-09-01T14:16:58.180-05:00Originally the Amendments we Americans came to cal...Originally the Amendments we Americans came to call our Bill of Rights did only operate on the federal government, and the Second was explicitly keeping that level of government from limiting an institution that had traditionally operated on the state level.<br /><br />However, subsequent Amendments and Supreme Court cases have extended the Bill of Rights to cover the states as well. We therefore enjoy freedom of speech regardless of both national and state laws, and so on. Is the Second Amendment an exception to that rule? Given how historically state governments have been more oppressive of individual rights, I'd prefer to see wider application and enforcement of the Bill of Rights. J. L. Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405157000473731801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post-78026629552677420782018-09-01T14:09:42.278-05:002018-09-01T14:09:42.278-05:00I think the English Bill of Rights was crucially i...I think the English Bill of Rights was crucially important to the Founders’ understanding of a proper national constitution and traditional rights. When Americans sought a “Bill of Rights” in 1788 and the following years, they were referring to that precedent. <br /><br />However, referring to the 1688 language raises as many questions as it answers. Does “Arms for their Defense” mean collective self-defense or individual self-defense? Since the language doesn't mention hunting, and that was in fact restricted in large parts of Britain, does that precedent mean the use of firearms to obtain food or simply for recreation isn’t covered? What limitations does “suitable to their Conditions and as allowed by Law” encompass? And if firearms ownership is a human right, what does a religious restriction mean for this precedent? J. L. Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405157000473731801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post-32019537919557747882018-08-14T09:06:47.097-05:002018-08-14T09:06:47.097-05:00I appreciate the research and analysis that you ha...I appreciate the research and analysis that you have devoted to this subject. There are many people (if not most) who will stand by their hopes and beliefs as to what the 2nd Amendment means despite any mountain of evidence that is presented to the contrary. I can certainly understand that. I am a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment and believe that the right of self defense, using any means available to me, whether purchased or crafted by my own hands, is a natural right that is not to be infringed by any individual or collection of individuals. That being said, I also believe that the 2nd Amendment was written for the express purpose of limiting the newly formed federal government from infringing on that right. The 2nd Amendment has no authority over what the states may or may not do in regards to the infringement of our right to bear arms. That battle is left to be fought between the states and their citizens. One of the beautiful things about living in the United States is, if the state you live in is not compatible with your values and your way of life, you're free to try and find another one to live in which is.Cady Liberty Caucushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02466477637821953192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post-52774973678678626882018-08-14T07:48:22.780-05:002018-08-14T07:48:22.780-05:00How useful in this debate is the original English ...<br />How useful in this debate is the original English Bill of Rights, 1688, which the framers of the US constitution will have known and possibly discussed?<br /><br />"Subjects’ Arms. That the Subjects which are Protestants may have Arms for their Defence suitable to their Conditions and as allowed by Law."<br /><br />See: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/aep/WillandMarSess2/1/2/introductionRichard Normingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01510302586609707238noreply@blogger.com