[Brian_Va]

For the first time in our personal lives we will see a very historical case go before the courts. Do we have the right to keep and bear arms on a personal level? Judges will decide if "we the people" have any right to own and possess a gun.

In a way this is laughable, but it's serious because we have already had one full scale revolt over this and money. I'm fairly certain our forefathers did intend for the average American to keep and bear arms, as their public and private documents on the matter repeat this sentiment over an over. And if they didn't, I'd think we would know by now. If they didn't, and the courts decide it's time for you to turn in your guns, whats next?

AFP: US Supreme Court in historic hearing on gun laws
The Associated Press: Supreme Court Gun Case Draws Protesters

[Spike-A-Pike]

It may be time for a Firearm Refresher Course... I'll try hard to stay off the soapbox for now.

[fish devil]

Laws are for those who are decent law abiding citizens. Criminals will always have guns or have means to get guns no matter what laws the govt makes.


Personally I think more people should have firearms.

[dvowell]

I'm with you, fish devil. Completely.

-D

[LaPala]

Best case scenario --- no one in this world produces fire arms anymore. Got a score to settle --- use your fist, knives, bow & arrow and spears. You can still hunt with a bow. IMHO, we are already too advance with development of fire arms when we can inflict a lot of damage without any training.

[Spike-A-Pike]

Some food for thought...

FIREARMS REFRESHER COURSE

1. An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.
2. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.
3. Colt: The original point and click interface.
4. Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.
5. If guns are outlawed, can we use swords?
6. If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words.
7. Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.
8. If you don't know your rights, you don't have any.
9. Those that would trade liberty for security have neither.
10. The United States Constitution (c) 1791. All Rights Reserved.
11. What part of "shall not be infringed" do you not understand?
12. The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others.
13. 64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.
14. Guns only have two enemies; rust and politicians.
15. Know guns, know peace, know safety. No guns, no peace, no safety.
16. You don't shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive.
17. 911: “Government sponsored Dial-a-Prayer.”
18. Assault is a behavior, not a device.
19. Criminals love gun control; it makes their jobs safer.
20. If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson.
21. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control them.
22. You have only the rights you are willing to fight for.
23. Enforce the gun control laws we ALREADY have; don't make more.
24. When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create slaves.
25. The American Revolution would never have happened with gun control.
26. God created man, and Samuel Colt made them all equal.
27. Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms. -- James Madison, The Federalist Papers
28. "The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed." -- Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist Papers at 184-188
29. "Among the many misdeeds of British rule in India, history will look upon the Act depriving a whole nation of arms as the blackest." -- Mohandas Gandhi, An Autobiography, pg 446
30. "Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed, as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword, because the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops." -- Noah Webster

[Brian_Va]

The most effective way to enslave a people is to disarm them

George Mason

[sagacious]

How about a quick refresher on the Bill of Rights? Allow me to paraphrase, so we don't have to go through the legal terminology.

Article 1: YOU have the right to freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom to assemble.

Article 2: YOU have the right to keep and bear firearms.

Article 3: YOU have the right to payment for services required by military personnel.

Article 4: YOU have the right to security in your house, your papers, and to be secure against unreasonable searches; and the State needs a clearly-outlined warrant to search your stuff.

Article 5: YOU have the right to have criminal charges brought before a Grand Jury, you cannot be charged twice for the same crime, you have the right to remain silent, and the right to due process.

Article 6: YOU have the right to a speedy trial, to gather witnesses, to see the charges against you, and the State will provide you a lawyer if you cannot afford one.

Article 7: YOU have the right to a jury trial, and to not be re-tried for the same charges.

Article 8: YOU have the right to reasonable bail, and to be protected from cruel and unusual punishment.

Article 9: Nobody can use any part of the Constitution to deny YOU your rights.

Article 10: Unless it's the responsibility of the Federal Government, or the State Government, YOU have the right to do it.

Indeed, the Second Amendment case before the Supreme Court seems like it can only go one way. As if the 2nd Amendment wasn't enough, Amendments 4, 9, and 10 all back-up the 2nd Amendment. Every article in the Bill of Rights conveys personal rights not State's rights. Other parts of the Constitution assign State's rights.............. but not the Bill of Rights. Those are the rights of the people, including of course, the Second Amendment.

To see otherwise, you'd have to chop-up the Bill of Rights and say, "Amendments 1,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, and 10 are people's rights, buuuuuuttttt #2 is a State's right." I don't think the Supreme Court will do that. I certainly hope not, anyway.

We shall all wait with bated breath for the outcome.

[ChampionBoatGuy]

I'm pretty worried about this. Our Supreme Court isn't really supreme anymore, just their rulings. It's a wild band of crazy activists. Some of the things they've passed and gotten away with in recent years is unsettling. I just hope they have the sense to do what's right and leave the second ammendment alone.

Perhaps it's time I go buy that Remington 700 I've been eyeballing....

[sagacious]

Originally Posted by LaPala

Best case scenario --- no one in this world produces fire arms anymore. Got a score to settle --- use your fist, knives, bow & arrow and spears. ...

This is far from the best case scenario. What about my mom and my sis? My wife? They wouldn't last 3 seconds against a violent felon.

Big, strong criminals don't need guns. They can kill you easily with their hands, or a knife, or any number of blunt objects. My wife cannot defend herself against a larger male attacker, even if she had a knife. Almost no women can, to say nothing of the elderly or infirmed, the handicapped, or anyone else who doesn't have the strength to bash an attacker into submission.

The case against the Second Amendment is, to an extent, sexist. Women have, perhaps, the most to lose, and cannot defend themselves against larger, stronger attackers. Nothing, except a firearm evens the score. Only with a firearm can a women competently defend herself, and her family and children.

A world without firearms puts women, and a substantial fraction of society, at grave risk.

Soapbox, where'd I put that soapbox?
Take care, and good fishing!