Well maybe YOU should take some time for research on the second ammendment and its meaning,, then you would have such a squewed interpretation of it..
There are many places to go for information.. Duke University did a wonderful study on your very question. Its easily searched on the net.
Hillsdale college offers a great course on the constitution. Its Free.. Very good also.
But to answere you question in simple Gooser terms. You said
Quote:
I guess what I don't understand is how the words "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed "
can be taken out of the context of being used ia a sentence with "A well regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free state" , and be given stand alone meanings to suit ones need in an argument .
The Bill of rights consider the states have individual rights. One of those rights is to have a well regulated militia. This militia consists of ordinary citizens to protect that FREE state from standing armies, or invasions. It most definatly didnt mean Police,, or Federal armies,, It meant STATE Militia, consisting of ordinary citizens.
The constitution GUARANTEES the right for Ordinary citizens to keep and bear arms, so as the state to have the ability to have that armed militia of ordinary citizenry for protection.... against standing armies,, and oppresive invasion.
The congress (government) has no authority to infringe upon that right .. (to keep and bear arms)
It is a very good form of preparedness..
Thats kinda it in a nutshell..
If you dont undersand it,, Educate yourself... Dont spew personal agenda interpretation to it..
If you dont like it,,, Follow law,, and write an ammendment to it... Or vote for people who try and circumvent it.....
As I have said earler in the thread,, many of these state gun controll laws have gone befor the supreme court,, and have been deemd unconstitutional..
The Chicago case was one of them Those people lived under oppresive gun legislation that severly inhibited that states right to form its OWN militia in case of emergency,,,, per the constitution.. It also inhibited the popluaces right to defend its own personal life and property..
I think Californias Gun laws are much the same..
Gooser