3 ms·
Two points: 1. Notwithstanding that language, it's an individual right. See Heller. 2. Militias were, almost exclusively, the province Of the individual sta
by hcurtiss 14y ago
Two points:
1. Notwithstanding that language, it's an individual right. See Heller.
2. Militias were, almost exclusively, the province Of the individual states. There was not until relatively recently a standing federal army. The point was to keep arms in the hands of individuals.
The Bill of Rights is a check on large centralized government. It's the whole point. Don't forget that these guys had just been through precisely such a revolution. There are some pretty striking quotes from Thomas Jefferson directly on point.