Re: Heard at the NRA headquarters
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
My take on these well known words emphasises "free". They were penned not too long after the American revolution when the shackles of the occupying power were broken. Political and legal systems were not mature. "Militia" implies a measure of local command and control. In order to remain free of an overbearing government or imperial power local communities could turn out a well armed and effective military force.
Given US history, Manifest Destiny etc, tradition and politics the right to bear arms is seen as the final guarantee of freedom.
I am not an American, am I right or wrong?
Of course a local ad-hoc force could not effectively defeat a modern military. A measure of local control is retained in the National Guard. I do wonder if military hardware should be in the hands of amateurs.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
