http://lenmunsil.com/2007/11/our-constitutional-right-to-keep-and-bear-arms/ President of Arizona Chrsitian University Fri, 19 Aug 2016 02:48:17 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.38 http://lenmunsil.com/2007/11/our-constitutional-right-to-keep-and-bear-arms/#comment-139 Wed, 21 Nov 2007 17:17:42 +0000 http://dev.lenmunsil.com/2007/11/our-constitutional-right-to-keep-and-bear-arms/#comment-139 R. Hamric, you bring up an interesting point. When I was in college, I wrote a paper on James Madison and some of the arguments he put forth in the Federalist Papers. I always found it fascinating that Madison was adamant during the ratification debates that the Constitution contain no Bill of Rights lest the citizens think their rights are derived from the government. Really, it was a brilliant argument and contains a lot of wisdom!

]]> http://lenmunsil.com/2007/11/our-constitutional-right-to-keep-and-bear-arms/#comment-138 Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:43:00 +0000 http://dev.lenmunsil.com/2007/11/our-constitutional-right-to-keep-and-bear-arms/#comment-138 “OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS”
Len,
I know this may seem nitpicky, but in this debate since the SCOTUS made it clear they would hear the case, I see many refer to the “right to kep and bear arms” as Constitutionally provided. I have done much research on the tiopic over my 65 years and to the best of my understanding, I get the sense that the Founders acknowledged the “right to keep and bear arms” as one of the “inalienable rights” that preceeded the formation of this nation and the drafting of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The 2nd Amendment appears to be a clear recognition of the pre-existing right and simply admonishes the “Government” from infringing upon that right. Those 2 documents primarily set limitations on the government, not provide the citizens with government approved rights.
If I am being too “conservative” in my assessment of all this, then I will listen to any input from others who have likewise researched the issue, but arrived at a different viewpoint. I have always felt the “collective right” issue was a red herring when examined in context with the rest of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
And let’s say the SCOTUS doesn’t see it that way and sides with the “militia member” aspect. That would require them to discriminate against the female citizens as the description of ‘militia’ clearly states “all males aged 17 ….”.
Quite the conundrum for the court if they choose that course.Guess we will all get our answers next year. I will be watching with rapt attention for sure.
Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!

]]>