3 ms·

"ACLU Position: Given the reference to "a well regulated Militia" and "the security of a free State," the ACLU has long taken the position that the Second Amen

"ACLU Position: Given the reference to "a well regulated Militia" and "the security of a free State," the ACLU has long taken the position that the Second Amendment protects a collective right rather than an individual right." https://www.aclu.org/other/second-amendment https://www.aclu.org/other/second-amendment

akvadrako 5y ago
That's a pretty stupid position, since it's pretty clear the 2nd amendment is saying that it's a right of "the people". The preface is to explain the reason it's a right, that is to form the Militia, which is commonly understood to consist of most able-bodied men. If individuals aren't allowed to own and practice with weapons normally, then when it's needed the Militia will not be "well-regulated", as in well-armed or trained. The 2nd amendment is really very important to all civil liberties, since otherwise there is nothing to stop a repressive government from taking control.
- himinlomax 5y ago
  Look, you're entitled to interpret the 2nd amendment the way you do, but the fact is that it is a short bit of text and yet it includes the words "a well regulated militia." It's perfectly reasonable to believe those four words are there for a good reason. Gun rights activists choose to ignore those words. If their position deserve any respect, the one that does not ignore them evidently deserves at least as much.
  - calvinmorrison 5y ago
    Its interesting to look at my States constitution, which predates the federal constitution. " Sect. XXI. That the right of the citizens to bear arms, in defence of themselves and the state, shall not be questioned. "
  - akvadrako 5y ago
    You're being obtuse; I explained why those words were there.
- TchoBeer 5y ago
  As far as I remember none of the other bill of rights amendments feel the need to justify themselves

3 ms·

"ACLU Position: Given the reference to "a well regulated Militia" and "the security of a free State," the ACLU has long taken the position that the Second Amen

by JohnTHaller 5y ago

akvadrako 5y ago
That's a pretty stupid position, since it's pretty clear the 2nd amendment is saying that it's a right of "the people". The preface is to explain the reason it's a right, that is to form the Militia, which is commonly understood to consist of most able-bodied men. If individuals aren't allowed to own and practice with weapons normally, then when it's needed the Militia will not be "well-regulated", as in well-armed or trained. The 2nd amendment is really very important to all civil liberties, since otherwise there is nothing to stop a repressive government from taking control.
- himinlomax 5y ago
  Look, you're entitled to interpret the 2nd amendment the way you do, but the fact is that it is a short bit of text and yet it includes the words "a well regulated militia." It's perfectly reasonable to believe those four words are there for a good reason. Gun rights activists choose to ignore those words. If their position deserve any respect, the one that does not ignore them evidently deserves at least as much.
  - calvinmorrison 5y ago
    Its interesting to look at my States constitution, which predates the federal constitution. " Sect. XXI. That the right of the citizens to bear arms, in defence of themselves and the state, shall not be questioned. "
  - akvadrako 5y ago
    You're being obtuse; I explained why those words were there.
- TchoBeer 5y ago
  As far as I remember none of the other bill of rights amendments feel the need to justify themselves