Reply #198: Well we will just have to agree to disagree. [View All]

[Atypical Liberal]

The fundamental problem here is that you and I disagree on whether or not people should have access to the tools to defend themselves from harm, or whether they should depend on others to do it for them.

Right now, the trend for the last 20 years has been in the direction of more liberal firearm laws, and if anything that tide is swelling, not waning. We've gone from only a few states allowing concealed carry to now most states allowing it. It is now settled law by the Supreme Court that the right to keep and bear arms is an individual, not collective right, irrespective of membership in any organization like a militia. And that right has been incorporated under the 14th amendment under the Due Process Clause, meaning the States cannot choose to abrogate it.

Presumably, all of this has happened as the legislature has responded to the collective will of the people over the last few decades. It is possible that the will of the people will change, and it is even possible that the legislature will reverse itself to honor that will. But barring some major catastrophe or political collapse, it's not likely to happen in our lifetimes.