Hello libertarians and peace lovers,
Dan, thanks for the useful history lesson. I didn't know the precise wording
before . . .
> Hi Jonathan
>
> The first ten Amendments to our US Constitution were ratified in 1791 and
> came to be known as our Bill of Rights. Amendment II:
>
> "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."
>
It looks clear enough to me, Florida court opinion notwithstanding. This
appears to be a basis for the creation of an armed police force. The right is
given explicitly to "the people", not to individuals.
Sir Robert Peel is usually considered the father of modern policing. As a
minister in the British Government, he championed the idea of a civil rather
than military force for maintaining public order (See his Nine Principles
http://www.newwestpolice.org/peel.html).
Peel was main architect of the Peace Preservation Act of 1814 and the
Metropolitan Police Bill of 1829. Until then, public order was enforced by
armed or unarmed mercenaries or thugs hired by king, sheriff or local
strongman.
It seems to me that US Bill of Rights aimed to provide the constitutional
basis for a police force controlled by the people. Maybe it came before its
time, because in 1791, Peel was a toddler of 3 years old and hadn't yet
invented the idea of a police force!!!!
Particularly significant is the term "well regulated" used by the founding
fathers. I hold that firearms held by individuals are a menace to society.
Statistics bear me out - a private firearm is more likely to harm than protect
its owner or a loved one. This is very different from firearms carried by
members of a well regulated force.
I should add, the above opinions come from someone who is NOT a US citizen
and never resided in the US.
Jonathan
Jonathan
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