The constitution states that the purpose of militias is to suppress insurrection. Not cause insurrection, suppress insurrection. There are a lot of idiots, like mike above, who seem unable to read any part of the constitution except the second half of the second amendment.
antiquetracman: You are confusing it with the Declaration of Independence. The Constitution was because the Articles of Confederation were so mucked up with states’ rights that the country wouldn’t work.
Lalo has it absolutely RIGHT, CORRECT, AND confirmed in the language of the Constitution, including and especially, the Second Amendment. Taking up arms against our government is simply ONE THNIG, treason, and the only Capital crime identified there.
A bunch of Iraqis are pretty much doing that now. How long has the US military been over there, and they are still meeting armed resistance? Add to that the reluctance of some of our military to fire upon their own people and you might find that even a semi-well regulated militia could “take on” a seal team. If this were not the case, there would be peace in the Middle East. There is a difference between conquering a people and destroying them entirely. The US government would not issue orders to destroy the country, therefore, the entire might of the US Armed Forces would not be utilized. There… done with rant.
The 2nd amendment is there because the British tried to seize the arms of the local MA militia, the event that started the revolution. Most of the amendments can be directly linked to British abuses. It’s the reason there’s a ban on quartering soldiers in private homes in peace time.
The 2nd amendment is the only one that feels required to justify itself.
It should also be pointed out that no modern industrial government has ever been overthrown by a internal, popular uprising. The assets available to the government are so massive, and the risks to the average citizen are so great, that it wouldn’t even be close.
Morty, for separating the “crazies” from the lawful gun owners….that seems to be where the “fix the broken mental health system” argument goes. When I think about that it brings up questions of “How is that going to be paid for?”, “Does that mean every American now has to get an annual psych exam?”, What happens when Dr X asks one of the questions you listed and decides Mr Y isn’t fit to own a gun? Does there have to be a 2nd opinion?
Although I agree with you that the 2nd amendment is not only to allow the people to overthrown the government, this was clearly an issue. Nobody is advocating a civil war, at least I’m not. I’m just pointing out that the founding fathers were talking about arming the people so no government ever would be able to turn into a tyranny. Here are some quotes
No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. Thomas Jefferson
This will not only lessen the call for military establishments, but if circumstances should at any time oblige the government to form an army of any magnitude that army can never be formidable to the liberties of the people while there is a large body of citizens, little if at all inferior to them in discipline and the use of arms, who stand ready to defend their own rights and those of their fellow-citizens. Alexander Hamilton
Never trust a government that doesn’t trust its own citizens with guns. Benjamin Frankiln
The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it always to be kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like a little rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the Atmosphere. Thomas Jefferson
What, Sir, is the use of a militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty…. Whenever Governments mean to invade the rights and liberties of the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order to raise an army upon their ruins. Elbridge Gerry
Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any bands of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States. Noah Webster
As civil rulers, not having their duty to the people before them, may attempt to tyrannize, and as the military forces which must be occasionally raised to defend our country, might pervert their power to the injury of their fellow citizens, the people are confirmed by the article in their right to keep and bear their private arms. Tench Coxe
PianoGuy24(1) minutemen is plural, please use weren’t instead of wasn’t (2) As a historian of the British Empire I can tell you that the Great Britain had a worldwide empire to protect or they could have easily destroyed the rebellion in North America,(3) The Parliament had leaders much like G. W. Bush who didn’t want to pay for the wars they started. So sensible statesman voted to give up the fight.
“head of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General David JOHNSTON (since 1 October 2010)head of government: Prime Minister Stephen Joseph HARPER (since 6 February 2006)cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from among the members of his own party sitting in Parliament”
Who’s country is this describing? Who’s got a FOREIGN monarch on their money?
hippogriff over 11 years ago
mikeonthemic: “Treason consists of levying war against the United States or giving aid to its enemies.” You sir, are a traitor. Turn yourself in.
ARodney over 11 years ago
The constitution states that the purpose of militias is to suppress insurrection. Not cause insurrection, suppress insurrection. There are a lot of idiots, like mike above, who seem unable to read any part of the constitution except the second half of the second amendment.
hippogriff over 11 years ago
antiquetracman: You are confusing it with the Declaration of Independence. The Constitution was because the Articles of Confederation were so mucked up with states’ rights that the country wouldn’t work.
Dtroutma over 11 years ago
Lalo has it absolutely RIGHT, CORRECT, AND confirmed in the language of the Constitution, including and especially, the Second Amendment. Taking up arms against our government is simply ONE THNIG, treason, and the only Capital crime identified there.
druber61 over 11 years ago
Good strip, thanks.
Don Winchester Premium Member over 11 years ago
And if the minutemen wasn’t as well armed as the British we’d still be a part of England.
JAMES HICKMAN over 11 years ago
Spot on Lalo. Keep on keepin on
brimhir over 11 years ago
A bunch of Iraqis are pretty much doing that now. How long has the US military been over there, and they are still meeting armed resistance? Add to that the reluctance of some of our military to fire upon their own people and you might find that even a semi-well regulated militia could “take on” a seal team. If this were not the case, there would be peace in the Middle East. There is a difference between conquering a people and destroying them entirely. The US government would not issue orders to destroy the country, therefore, the entire might of the US Armed Forces would not be utilized. There… done with rant.
pdchapin over 11 years ago
The 2nd amendment is there because the British tried to seize the arms of the local MA militia, the event that started the revolution. Most of the amendments can be directly linked to British abuses. It’s the reason there’s a ban on quartering soldiers in private homes in peace time.
The 2nd amendment is the only one that feels required to justify itself.
pdchapin over 11 years ago
It should also be pointed out that no modern industrial government has ever been overthrown by a internal, popular uprising. The assets available to the government are so massive, and the risks to the average citizen are so great, that it wouldn’t even be close.
maryelle Premium Member over 11 years ago
Not to “fight” but to protect oneself & one’s property.
Kylop over 11 years ago
Morty, for separating the “crazies” from the lawful gun owners….that seems to be where the “fix the broken mental health system” argument goes. When I think about that it brings up questions of “How is that going to be paid for?”, “Does that mean every American now has to get an annual psych exam?”, What happens when Dr X asks one of the questions you listed and decides Mr Y isn’t fit to own a gun? Does there have to be a 2nd opinion?
James Wolfenstein over 11 years ago
Although I agree with you that the 2nd amendment is not only to allow the people to overthrown the government, this was clearly an issue. Nobody is advocating a civil war, at least I’m not. I’m just pointing out that the founding fathers were talking about arming the people so no government ever would be able to turn into a tyranny. Here are some quotes
No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. Thomas Jefferson
This will not only lessen the call for military establishments, but if circumstances should at any time oblige the government to form an army of any magnitude that army can never be formidable to the liberties of the people while there is a large body of citizens, little if at all inferior to them in discipline and the use of arms, who stand ready to defend their own rights and those of their fellow-citizens. Alexander Hamilton
Never trust a government that doesn’t trust its own citizens with guns. Benjamin Frankiln
The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it always to be kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like a little rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the Atmosphere. Thomas Jefferson
What, Sir, is the use of a militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty…. Whenever Governments mean to invade the rights and liberties of the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order to raise an army upon their ruins. Elbridge Gerry
Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any bands of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States. Noah Webster
As civil rulers, not having their duty to the people before them, may attempt to tyrannize, and as the military forces which must be occasionally raised to defend our country, might pervert their power to the injury of their fellow citizens, the people are confirmed by the article in their right to keep and bear their private arms. Tench Coxe
ejpoleii over 11 years ago
Thank you, Jeff. Saves me the trouble. Good quotes.
DrussLegend over 11 years ago
Wow. Oversimplification to misrepresent the issue…that’s so unusual for you…
Dtroutma over 11 years ago
The NRA is a lot more Elmer Gantry than Thomas Jefferson.
adherent#1 over 11 years ago
Wait-a-minit…I’m okay – I know where the trigger is.
Bruce Gibson over 11 years ago
Just the kind of thinking Adolf Hitler would have applauded.
zoidknight over 11 years ago
Given the actions of our government, they would be siding with us.
zoidknight over 11 years ago
NO it was not. It was to prevent the government from doing what Obama is doing now.
mmcguire001 over 11 years ago
PianoGuy24(1) minutemen is plural, please use weren’t instead of wasn’t (2) As a historian of the British Empire I can tell you that the Great Britain had a worldwide empire to protect or they could have easily destroyed the rebellion in North America,(3) The Parliament had leaders much like G. W. Bush who didn’t want to pay for the wars they started. So sensible statesman voted to give up the fight.
adherent#1 over 11 years ago
It’s Guns with the Constitution or the Obama-Smirk…
stp1957 Premium Member over 11 years ago
Radish, when you quote Al Gore’s assertion it really shows what a clone you are.
pirate227 over 11 years ago
Canada is free, you say?
“head of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General David JOHNSTON (since 1 October 2010)head of government: Prime Minister Stephen Joseph HARPER (since 6 February 2006)cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from among the members of his own party sitting in Parliament”
Who’s country is this describing? Who’s got a FOREIGN monarch on their money?
Free, indeed. And Fox news, is… news.