General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: A Guy Now On CNN Just Criticized The NY Newspaper That Published Names/Addresses Of Gun Owners By... [View all]jp76
(28 posts)Keep in mind that the 1st and 2nd Amendments were both balances against government power.
The 1st prevents the government from controlling the populace through disinformation (and note that we've had to enact the FOIA to bolster that protection, and we probably need to do more). No advance in technology alters the purpose of this amendment.
The 2nd, whether you look at it as a state's right to a militia, or as an individual right, or both, is a protection against the government controlling the populace through force. This is indisputable, read the Federalist papers #29 and #46 if you disagree. As such, the 2nd is rendered impotent if the protections afforded by it do not extend to modern weaponry. No advance in technology alters the purpose of this amendment.