Preaching to the Choir

[Bravo Vector Tango]

I'm all in favor of being able to buy and own whatever guns one wants.

I'm opposed to gun control laws.

As to my basic thoughts on the 2A, see post #61, above. In addition, I think that the concept of "unalienable rights" is absurd. In nature, might makes right; only power matters. The only "rights" you possess are those that you have the power to enforce.

I think what Stan is doing here, is doing an Excellent job of playing Devil's advocate. I know for me personally, at least - having someone to argue (like gentlemen, of course) my point against, is much more effective in developing an intellectual and scholarly foundation for supporting the 2nd Amendment, the ideology of the founding documents, and the principles of American freedom in general.

Stan,

The founding documents are insurance against the exact situation you explain, where rights are determined by force. without inalienable rights, without equalizers, we will always default to "Might makes Right", Bully rules. particularly when it comes to Governments, this is true tenfold, and easily observable in our own government. Where we (the people) have given them inches of power, they've taken miles - it won't stop, and the wages of a system like this can be only death, oppression or a combination of both, for the people. this is the exact form of Tyranny, the very ideals of America were born of, the exact overreaching power that was shaken from our shoulders when we separated from British rule.

The Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights and Amendments stand as our voice as one people, Declaring our rights, The documents themselves, the Ideals of Freedom, the foundation on which America stands, that IS the Might of the people - and we must always remember how to enact and draw upon that Might, for we will be challenged.

The 2nd Amendment is paramount to the other inalienable rights established by the founding documents, and indeed, serves as both a lynch pin holding it all together, and as a last physical resort, when those with all the Might come knocking. Government eroding our rights as they have for the last century, is nothing but a bully slowly dismantling the wall around your home, pretty soon, that bully has a clear line of sight, and plenty of stones to throw.

Edited for structure, clarity.