Well, it started because under British rule the colonists were not allowed to arm themselves, or assemble peacefully, etc. (apparently the British were concerned the colonists might revolt. Huh. Whodathunkit?). And colonists were required to billet British soldiers in their homes during "peacetime" (which totally interferes with revolt-planning operations, knowwhatImean?). Add in lots of taxes and no legalized way to address the situation, and you get a lot of righteous anger in a pressure cooker.
So when they drew up the Constitution and Bill of Rights, they put those protections in there.
First Amendment to the Constitution: right to free speech, peaceful assembly, free press, government cannot officially pick one religion over another (they seem to ignore this now), freedom of religion, and you can bitch at the government for "redress of grievances."
Second Amendment: you can own a gun, serve in a free-standing (not part of the government) militia.
Third Amendment: you don't have to billet soldiers in your house without consent during peacetime. You may have to during war, but only according to law.
That these were the first (for the most part, pre-existing) rights that they codified into legal protections speaks to the immediacy of their concerns and the importance of these rights in the daily lives of the colonists. And because it is part of the foundation of our government, it's just been carried forward. Much (if not all) of the US legal system is based on English Common Law, and British citizens had some of these rights and protections in place already. Some of the US rights are taken directly from British law.
My dad had 50 rifles and shotguns and 25 handguns. He said he was a collector, but really he just liked guns, he hunted, and he had a permit for concealed carry. So he carried concealed ('cause he could and because people had attempted to mug him twice when he was coming out of his office, thinking he had money or access to meds/drugs. Yes on the money, no on the meds). He had three gun safes, and there were still (unloaded) rifles and shotguns in my closet. There were loaded guns for "home security" stashed throughout the house. My sister and I were under strict instructions to never, ever touch them. And as far as I know, we never did (I know I never did).
Responsible gun ownership is tricky. If you do not train regularly and carry all the time, the gun is more of a liability than a benefit. At the same time, you don't want to bring a knife to a gun fight.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-07-25 05:18 pm (UTC)So when they drew up the Constitution and Bill of Rights, they put those protections in there.
First Amendment to the Constitution: right to free speech, peaceful assembly, free press, government cannot officially pick one religion over another (they seem to ignore this now), freedom of religion, and you can bitch at the government for "redress of grievances."
Second Amendment: you can own a gun, serve in a free-standing (not part of the government) militia.
Third Amendment: you don't have to billet soldiers in your house without consent during peacetime. You may have to during war, but only according to law.
That these were the first (for the most part, pre-existing) rights that they codified into legal protections speaks to the immediacy of their concerns and the importance of these rights in the daily lives of the colonists. And because it is part of the foundation of our government, it's just been carried forward. Much (if not all) of the US legal system is based on English Common Law, and British citizens had some of these rights and protections in place already. Some of the US rights are taken directly from British law.
My dad had 50 rifles and shotguns and 25 handguns. He said he was a collector, but really he just liked guns, he hunted, and he had a permit for concealed carry. So he carried concealed ('cause he could and because people had attempted to mug him twice when he was coming out of his office, thinking he had money or access to meds/drugs. Yes on the money, no on the meds). He had three gun safes, and there were still (unloaded) rifles and shotguns in my closet. There were loaded guns for "home security" stashed throughout the house. My sister and I were under strict instructions to never, ever touch them. And as far as I know, we never did (I know I never did).
Responsible gun ownership is tricky. If you do not train regularly and carry all the time, the gun is more of a liability than a benefit. At the same time, you don't want to bring a knife to a gun fight.