Man carries assault rifle to Obama protest -- and it's legal

[TheRealMafoo]

Orca_Azure said:

TheRealMafoo said:

Rath said:

Also if I'm not hugely mistaken the original reason for the right to bear arms was to protect not against the government but against the British. If I'm right about that then the second amendment is hugely outdated as the Brits aren't that likely to invade anymore.

the right was because our founding fathers knew the US government would need to be overthrown one day. If they were to be brought back from the dead, they would be shocked that we didn't do it 100 years ago.

Today, they would start another revolution, and for it, be called terrorists.

Today, there aren't tyrannical kings appointed to life long positions; popular opinion and voting makes sure of that. Resorting to violence when there are peaceful methods readily and easily available IS terrorism; the founding fathers were revolting against an oppressive and corrupt style of leadership that was in the hands of one person. The declaration of independence was their only real way of peaceful opposition- after that the guns had to be drawn.

As for our government having to be overthrown one day- I highly doubt that. The text speaks for itself:  " a well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state.." The drafters wanted their people to be ready for an attack, not to tell them to overthrow the government. They sorta ruled “overthrowing governments” out  with making the whole "treason" thing a crime. :p

"God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. The people cannot be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented, in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions, it is lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. ... And what country can preserve its liberties, if it's rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to the facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure." --Thomas Jefferson