Reply #74: keep trying... [View All]

(quote)
Gee, in Massachusetts, it was proposed "The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."
And how did the delegates vote? They voted to reject that interpretation."
(end quote)


1) "Gee, in Massachusetts..." is not "congressional ratification" debates on the bill of rights, instead you are citing from the state ratifying convention on the US Constitution. Was this sleight of hand,or honest mistake?

2) There were NO amendments approved during the ratification of the US consitution. Though many were proposed (including the familiar fredoms of speech, religion, and the press) none were accepted because that would have sent the Constitution back to be approved once again by those states which had already ratified the unamended version.

3) Did anyone during any of the ratification debates (federal or state, US constitution or Bill of rights) ever mention an exclusively collective right of the people to Keep and Bear arms? (NO)

4) "...every gun control law ...would be unconstitutional" Does the freedom of speech mean that one can say anything one wants? Are there no laws against certain types of speech? Here are just a few examples of speech that is not protected: Hate speech, fraud, perjury, and inciting riot.

5) You'd think at least ONE gun loony somewhere would sue some time...
People have sued on 2nd amendment grounds and continue to sue on 2nd amendment grounds. US vs. Miller for one (decided on the TYPE of weapon, not the status of person. Plus there have been many cases on the US court of appeals.