General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Prepare for mass shootings like we've never seen before in the coming year [View all]Darb
(2,807 posts)As written:
"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."
The superior of the statement reads "A well regulated militia shall not be infringed". The two subordinant phrases are "being necessary to the security of a free state" and then "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms". The subordinants give support to the superior.
The way it is written leads to intent. The intent is to always have a militia at the ready because the founders did not intend to have a standing army. We now have a standing army. The militia is kind of mute, but I suppose could be likened to the national guard. But every kook be able to arm themselves to the teeth is nowhere in there.
As ratified it seems to me to confirm the above:
"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."
This writing says "the right of the people to keep and bears arms shall not be infringed" is given SPECIFICALLY for the purpose of a militia and a free state.
Gun fetishists believe it says "The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed" only, as evidenced by their nom de guerre "RKBA".
There is no individual right to any and all arms.