US2nd Ammendment: What do "arms" mean?

Question

Pretend you were a US Supreme Court Justice.
What is the most powerful "arm" (weapon) an American
citizen should be legally allowed to posess? Should
citizens be able to own nuclear bombs? Should we be
restricted to arms at the time the 2nd amendment was penned
(muskets)?

Could you create a working definition of where the court
should draw the line without using existing firearms, since we're
always coming up with new ones?

Answer 1

The term "arms" most often refers to small arms, such as rifles and pistols. This is also generally the class of weapons that are called firearms. Artillery, heavy weapons and large explosives are generally not considered small arms.

If I were interpreting the text, I would limit it to firearms that are intended for personal (non-military) use, or personal non-firearms weaponry (swords, spears, crossbows, bows, etc., not catapults), except where such weaponry is authorized as part of a "well regulated" state militia.

If you want a conceptual definition, I'd say weapons capable of being used and carried by a single person. Where such weapons are capable of firing projectiles, I'd limit it to non-explosive projectiles designed to damage a single target.

Answer 2

Wow, this is one of the most intelligent questions I have seen on Yahoo Answers! I do agree with you that when the consitution was written, they really only foresaw muskets (they really did not envisage Uzis and bazookas and such). We also must put the right to bear arms in its historical context; the USA was a newly founded country. Freedom had been won by means of a bloody war and the American people felt that it was their right to bear arms to defend their country against imperialist aggressors. Now, I feel that the arms can safely be bourne by the armed forces and the forces of law and order.

I am not preaching that people should not be allowed to own a shot gun or a rifle. I do believe that gun owners should apply for a permit and attend a gun safety course before owning a weapon. I also do not see the need to own a semi-automatic assault weapon. Let's leave those toys to the boys that are trained to use them!

Answer 3

Different translations of the bible would suggest love and charity are synonmus. Examples found in.1st Corrinthians ch. 13 vs. 1-17 illustrate this many times. I would enjoy hearing from a scholar of the languages used in those past times to clarify my understanding. The story of the "World's Poorest Philanthropist", Gilbert "Harold" Ewing II (myself) is the reason for this querry. The " act of grace", or charity, reffered to in the news interview, has posited this question and I lack the sort of education to provide any insights of true value.

Answer 4

To understand what an "arm" is you have to understand what it is to be armed. Is arming yourself limited to firearms or can it be anything that its considered a weapon. If you can arm yourself with say a golf club and do damage with it. Then it must be an arm. The second amendment garauntees your right to protect your freedom and this country with it.

Answer 5

arms are guns you lib and we should be able to have any kind of gun and the biggest caliper you can have is 50.cal BMG you can only have a bigger caliper than that if you get a class 3 permit but there are not very many calipers bigger than 50.cal you can have a machine gun to legally i got both

Answer 6

we already have some restrictions on gun control,, the military carries most of our heavy artillery...but weapons for self protection, and sporting is cool....i enjoy going out target practicing with a rifle or handgun.....i pity the poor soul who breaks into my house....like ole boy said you can have my gun when you pry it from my cold dead fingers

Answer 7

Hand guns and rifles

Answer 8

guns! bang bangs! bows and arrows! a knife! a hammer! any reasonable means of self defense!

Answer 9

right to bear arms.

right to wear sleeveless shirts.

Answer 10

Your question is an exercise in nonsense.