2007-06-26 04:56:37 · 12 answers · asked by shadsbabygirl_1 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
You should probably do your own homework.... or you could get ready for a wonderful career at McDonalds.
2007-06-26 04:59:40 · answer #1 · answered by Dan 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Typically, most of the respondants above have it all wrong. They seem to read the second phrase of the one sentence amendment without paying any attention to the first phrase which defines the purpose of the amendment. Here are the two phrases and their intent as ruled by the courts, including the US supreme court, over and over again:
[Amendment II]
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State," This is why the founders wrote the second amendment and a vast amount of the discussion that went on during the congressional congress including the decision to word this phrase exactly like they did and install the comma where it is can be found in the federalist papers.
"[Amendment II] continued
"the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." This is where most people get it wrong. The amendment does not give the people a right to keep and bear arms as you'd surmise if you only read this phrase. According to many court rulings, the second amendment only gives the right to a free state to organize and arm the people in a militia such as a state national guard.
You can continue to get it wrong or you can go read the vast amounts of data and history about the second amendment and how the courts interpret it over and over again. Remember, what you think the amendment says and what rights you think it protects mean nothing. We have a judicial branch of the government that has the sole power to interpret our laws and the constitution. If you really think that you have the absolute right to bear any arms that you like, just walk onto a schoolyard in California openly carrying a loaded assault rifle and see what happens. You will then be able to sit in jail and argue your second amendment right all the way to the supreme court. Although it is doubtful that they would even entertain your attorney's oral argument. You see, they don't spend time bothering with a decision that they've ruled so often in the past.
"the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." sounds obvious as far as it goes huh? Trouble is, it doesn't go far enough.
2007-06-26 05:37:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
1. If the French Foreign Legion lands on Myrtle Beach with the intention of helping out the American people and ridding them of their "dictator", we would be able to fight back and defend our country. Rent the movie "Red Dawn".
2. An armed population, with a bad attitude toward intrusive government is the best defense against tyrany. The founders wisely provided an alternative to the ballot should this occasion arise, and they even stated so in the debates about the 2nd Amendment.
3. As long as there is a possibility that a homeowner may be armed, predators generally think twice about burglary and home invasion. If you don't believe that, I have a "No Guns In This House" sticker available for you to affix to your mailbox and front door. Just e-mail me.
http://www.hendrixcampaign.com
2007-06-26 05:36:25 · answer #3 · answered by John H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The second amendment was put into place to help ensure that the government does not become too repressive of the people. The founders of our country used their ability to own and use guns to win independence from England, who had become very repressive, and they felt it was important to keep that option open to future generations.
In nations where public gun ownership is banned, tyranny is a typical result - Think world war 2 Germany, Pre-gulf war Iraq, Cambodia, in the 1960s... It is a preventive measure.
2007-06-26 05:02:09 · answer #4 · answered by Bryan F 3 · 6⤊ 0⤋
All the Amendments are important to our country. The 2nd speaks of a militia and the right to bear and keeps arms. That is why it has come under fire from people who want to abolish guns or control your ability to own them. That is also why the NRA has such a powerful lobby group in Washington.
2007-06-26 05:01:29 · answer #5 · answered by booman17 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That right gave us the power to become the USA. Without it we would still be a colony of England.
2007-06-26 05:01:30 · answer #6 · answered by Reported for insulting my belief 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It keeps the other amendments and our citizens safe.
2007-06-26 05:03:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
To defend ourselves against a militia or corrupt government.
2007-06-26 06:34:26 · answer #8 · answered by cynical 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because without the 2nd the government can take away the rest.
2007-06-26 04:59:26 · answer #9 · answered by civil_av8r 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
It acknowledges the fundamental right of Americans to defend themselves.
2007-06-26 05:00:49 · answer #10 · answered by SallyJM 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋