posted on February 2, 2009 12:43 PM“The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered, as the palladium of the liberties of the republic; since it offers a strong moral check against usurpation and arbitrary power of the rulers; and will generally, even if these are successful in the first instance, enable the people to resist and triumph over them.” —Justice Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, 1833
"It has never been, and is not, about hunting"
Tell that to the NRA, who seem to have completely forgotten this. The official journal of the NRA is called "American Sportsman" and espouses no position that I can see beyond hunter's rights.
Of course, the whole "right to bear arms" argument is sort of academic when the military has tanks, warplanes, ships, etc., that a private citizen would never be able to procure. Let's face it: a revolution like the Colonists waged against the British in the 1700s is now utterly infeasible.
Posted by: Chris at February 2, 2009 3:22 PM
Actually, the official journal of the NRA is called "American Rifleman", and while it may include a hunting column or article, is hardly devoted solely to that area of firearms use. The NRA does offer a hunting-specific magazine, "American Hunter", which members can select to receive in place of "American Rifleman". There is also a magazine called "America's First Freedom", where the primary focus is on the Second Amendment.
I think you can look at several conflicts since World War II and point out where guerrilla warriors, armed only with small arms and none of the military hardware you mention, either defeated or at least inflicted heavy casualties, on better-armed enemies.
Posted by: chris at February 2, 2009 6:50 PM