The right to bear arms refers to the concept that individuals, and not just states, have a right to weapons. This right is often presented in the United States as synonymous with the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, although this belief is controversial among some factions and is not subscribed to by all. This right is also often presented in a broader, global, and more complex human rights sense, but this belief is controversial, too.
What does the expression "bear arms" mean? This is a topic of considerable debate. In modern usage, the expression "bear arms" is usually considered synonymous with the phrase "have or carry firearms".
Although the term 'arms' means firearms most commonly, laws and statutes also usually define other types of weapons, such as swords, knives, and other similar objects, to be arms as well.
Some people believe that in earlier times the expression "bear arms" had a different meaning. One study has found " ...that the overwhelming preponderance of usage of 300 examples of the 'bear arms' expression in public discourse in early America was in an unambiguous, explicitly military context in a figurative (and euphemistic) sense to stand for military service" [1]
Further, the Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles declares that a meaning of "to bear arms" is a figurative usage meaning "to serve as a soldier, do military service, fight". This study casts doubt in the minds of some on the modern definition of 'bear arms' to mean 'carry firearms'.
Still, to others, the modern definition has always been the common definition. For example, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit stated in 2001 that:
"there are numerous instances of the phrase 'bear arms' being used to describe a civilian's carrying of arms. Early constitutional provisions or declarations of rights in at least some ten different states speak of the right of the 'people' [or 'citizen' or 'citizens'] "to bear arms in defense of themselves [or 'himself'] and the state,' or equivalent words, thus indisputably reflecting that under common usage 'bear arms' was in no sense restricted to bearing arms in military service." [2]
Types of rights to bear arms:
For use in a militia or to ensure the viability of militias
For self defense
For hunting, both for subsistence and/or for recreation.
For sport, such as marksmanship or Biathlon
For pest control in farm management
For meeting military-readiness obligations
For traditional cultural purposes, such as the Kukri
For police, sheriff or security services
For gun collecting[3]
As citizens we are allowed to bear arms as such that we are registered users of said weapon and carry our CHL. I dont know about you but if all that was requested of me was to pay for the class and to carry a license I wouldnt complain, its the same you go through to drive.
2006-12-20 07:23:02
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answer #1
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answered by fairiemage99 2
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2016-04-17 09:30:26
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answer #2
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answered by marnie 3
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What's in the constitution is this: the right to bear arms to form a well regulated militia. The history and writings of the founding fathers indicates that, coming from a monarchy, there was a fear of the federal government turning on its own people or the states. The idea behind the 2nd amendment was to allow the formal militia to defend itself against an out of control, too strong federal government. Your quotations are for the protection of the people against an overzealous government, giving the right to change the government, unlike a Monarchy. It's the second amendment that addresses the use of guns, but not to alter any destructive government, but one that has turned its force against the people (e.g., an illegitimate martial law style situation).
Here is a very well rounded, thoughtful, and through article from Vandy's law school:
http://www.guncite.com/journals/vandhist.html
2006-12-20 05:23:48
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answer #3
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answered by Angry Daisy 4
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Jefferson along with the other founding fathers lived under very unfair British rule, they wanted to make sure that future generations could defend their freedom. You have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but you also have a right to defend those, which means arming yourself. As a Christian I always get chastised by fellow Christians for owning firearms including several "assault weapons". When they do I always like to throw a Bible Verse at them,
"And he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."- Jesus Christ- Luke 22:36.
Here Jesus is basically saying that defending ones self should come above all.
I interpret the Second Amendment to mean that the "well regulated militia" is necessary to secure democracy and freedom. And that the people of the country are the militia.
2006-12-23 06:39:00
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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I don't think the Founding Fathers had any idea that we would have machine guns or projectiles that can fire 100 miles away. Can you imagine sticking up the gas station with a musket?
"You miss, OK give me about 2 Min's to load this gun."
Not only it is our right to own gun, It is our duty to overthrow the government if it is not to the benefits to the country.
Of course there are better way to do this then guns and would guns really help when the government has such fire power.
2006-12-20 05:28:03
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answer #5
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answered by rob u 5
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Thomas Jefferson did not include the right to bear arms in the Declaration of Independence. That right is secured in the Bill of Rights, as the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
2006-12-20 05:20:18
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answer #6
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answered by Suzianne 7
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The right to bear arms was put in before our world was in such complete chaos in today's world we have a better form of justice and we have regular police forces to try to ensure that people follow the laws. Nowadays to many criminals and wackos exist and guns are used in a fashion our forefathers never could imagine.
It is time to have laws to protect the common man from his sick and evil brothers and as much as I hate the idea of having to give up my 9mm I do think guns should be banned form the world and even from the police who sometimes make bad decisions and other times are even more evil than the criminals.
My 2 cents worth.
2006-12-20 05:30:17
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answer #7
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answered by Kdude 4
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Don't worry. We do have the right to possess firearms, and it won't change that much. It may seem really noticible lately with all the anti-gun politicians banning certain firearms, but what they ban one term usually gets taken off the ban list the next term by a politician with a measurable IQ. So the way I see it these bans are only temporarily inconvinient. Don't swaret it..there will always be stupid people in office mixed with the good ones.
2006-12-20 05:24:28
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answer #8
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answered by crazylifer 3
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Because the ACLU says so. See every other part of the constitution should be interpreted exactly as written, including some parts about legalizing abortion that are written in invisible ink. The right to bear arms though is the only passage that does not mean what it says, even though what it says is plainly clear.
2006-12-20 05:19:52
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answer #9
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answered by x 4
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The problem with things like your constitution is that they were written for a different World. Things have changed. Can you really imagine armed revoloution in the states? I'm sure Jefferson could that's why he put it there what he could not envisage was large industrialised cities full of crime and highschool shootings.
2006-12-20 05:32:38
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answer #10
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answered by airmonkey1001 4
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