General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Amendment 2 Blues [View all]jmg257
(11,996 posts)does that necessarily mean the right to arms is a basic right?
It seems they have been overlapped, especially in our nation's history. But the former can certainly exist without the latter, and with much less argument.
Anyway, I believe, without doubt, the FF thought the right to arms, and all other rights enumerated there, were in no way dependent on the Constitution for their existence. Debates over the Bill of Rights show this pretty clearly.
Which sort of leads to the notion that a militia made up of the body of the people, while smart, the best means of security, and maybe even necessary, is not really a basic human right, just a damn good idea in lieu of the alternative (a large standing army).
On edit: of course realizing an effective miltia made of the body of the people would require the people be free to enjoy the right to arms.