Did you know that the reason we have a 2nd amendment is to prevent us from having a standing army?

Question

I will agree with all the gun nuts that we must be allowed to have guns, when they agree to abolish our standing army.

The Founders were afraid of a standing army. And they believed that only an armed nation would be able to defend itself without a standing army. Hence, the second amendment.

Answer 1

Hmmm. I don't think you have a clue as to what you are talking about. Kind of difficult to be the "Commander and Chief" of something that shouldn't exist (according to your rather flawed observation). The 2nd amendment is part of the "Bill of Rights" which deals with the rights of individual citizens of the United States. Perhaps you should learn the difference before making this sort of intellectually embarrassing statement.

"Article. II. - The Executive Branch "

Section 2 - Civilian Power over Military, Cabinet, Pardon Power, Appointments

The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment."

Answer 2

The reason for the Second Amendment was because the Founding Fathers believed correctly that owning a firearm was a natural right. It was and still is a right given to you based on the fact that you were born, not a goodie handed to you by the friendly politician.

Answer 3

Not entirely true; some founding fathers were advocates against a strong army, namely the Republicans, but even in those early days we did have a standing of army of a few thousand soldiers.

I don't think this translates to a militia-based military. Everyone knew from the revolution that this wasn't as nice and effective as it sounded. They performed poorly in combat for the most part.

One has to understand the debate during the creation of the country of federalism vs. antifederalism; antifederalists were the supporters decentralized, more state-based government (the ones who likely who be against a standing army) and the federalists (strong nat. government). Needless to say, we ended up leaning more toward the federalists side because, while not sounding as good on paper, makes for a far more effective government.




All in all, the second amendment is for the creation of militias, not for the reduction of a standing army.

Answer 4

Its not true. We are armed because in the event of the total failure of our system of government we can as a people retake the country. Its designed to protect us in the case that the 1st amendment is controlled by about 6-8 people/corporations, and the government starts preventing people from peaceful assembly you know the drill a fascist state.

Answer 5

That seems a bit strange since there was a standing army at the time the amendment was written...

Answer 6

What **** our you smoking seriously. Where did you get that? The reason we our allowed to own guns is because it is a right. Period. It is the government's job to provide for the common defense. And exactly how will they do that when we don't have a standing army? Just curious.

Answer 7

It discouraged a standing army, as does the unusual constitutional requirement that Congress specifically reauthorize military funding every two years. They didn't trust the President having that much power.

Unfortunately the idea has been lost under years of fearmongering and sabre rattling.

Answer 8

Please tell me exactly how did you come to this conclusion? If the 2nd amendment was to prevent a standing army, then why in Article 2 was the president made commander-in-chief?

Answer 9

"It is the right of the people to overthrow the government if it has become corrupt."

~Explain this quote from our founding fathers if the citizens cannot be armed? How are they supposed to throw off a corrupt government? With pitch forks and torches?

Guns are for protection from our own government. When the government wants your guns, they want to be corrupt, and take away your means of fighting back.

Answer 10

Let me guess. You went to UC Berkley, didn't you? The leftist liberal professors there take great joy in twisting the Constitution around in order to fit their anti-American agenda.