(Sorry, gotta break this up into parts) > First, the founding fathers did not ensure that slavery would be allowed in perpetuity. In fact, the slave trade had

(Sorry, gotta break this up into parts) > First, the founding fathers did not ensure that slavery would be allowed in perpetuity. In fact, the slave trade had already been outlawed (and later the US Navy even sent ships to Africa to interdict slavers leaving the continent The slave trade was outlawed because Virginia wanted it outlawed. It was a net exporter of slaves, and they feared both rebellion and economic ruin if the trade continued. The morality of it was just a smokescreen. [1] > ...the seeds of the civil war were sown in the 3/5ths compromise, which ensured that the south would never be able to muster the power to keep slavery legal. The exact opposite is true [2]. The South wielded outsized power precisely because of the 3/5ths compromise, which actually led to Missouri entering the Union as a slave State. It also extended slavery to territories stolen from Mexico. Not only did they keep slavery legal, they expanded its reach. > But it's also not sophistry to analyze the intent of the framers of our country's original documents in ensuring that we follow the law. I agree, which is why I think Textualism is idiotic at best, and a smokescreen concealing a reactionary agenda at worst. I also think we should consider that many of the Founders were downright evil when divining their intent--3/5ths compromise is probably the best example, but my definition of evil encompasses "enslaved others", and that's over a dozen depending on how you count [3]. > The Constitution ... says ... that the right to keep and bear arms is a natural and individual right It's ironic for you to use the words "it means exactly what it says" and then use a phrase that exists neither in the Constitution nor the Bill of Rights. Let's quote 2A again here: > A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. Let's also quote the 1st draft of 2A: > A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the People, being the best security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed, but no one religiously scrupulous of bearing arms, shall be compelled to render military service in person. This one is even more focused on militias and military service. 2A was always--from its inception--about militias.