unrestricted police interrogations...

[Phineas]

it is the presense of an armed populous that keep our government in check.

if you really think Joe Average and all of his "militia" buddies banding together with their Smith & Wessons can keep the Government from enforcing its will through the Police, National Guard, or (heaven forbid) the Armed Forces, I want to be there and watch the resulting conflict. Should be over faster than Afghanistan. Or Waco, even.

it is one of the checks, and balances that our founding fathers had the forsight to put into the constitution.

enacted during a time when the national guard/armed forces WERE the regular populace. the reason for such an amendment is long gone. it's good to have, but it's far from the lynchpin that holds our society together.

...and if you want to get picky, the only official set of checks and balances spelled out by the constitution are those in place for the three branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial).

the right of the people to keep arms is what keeps the government from taking away our other rights.

see paragraph 1. I'm quite sure if the government decided to deploy the Seals or Rangers in your neighborhood, all the guns in the world aren't going to help you.

I'm all for the right to bear arms, but the arguments most people use to trumpet its benefits are HIGHLY flawed.

 

[Deleted member 2452]

if you really think Joe Average and all of his "militia" buddies banding together with their Smith & Wessons can keep the Government from enforcing its will through the Police, National Guard, or (heaven forbid) the Armed Forces, I want to be there and watch the resulting conflict. Should be over faster than Afghanistan. Or Waco, even.



enacted during a time when the national guard/armed forces WERE the regular populace. the reason for such an amendment is long gone. it's good to have, but it's far from the lynchpin that holds our society together.

...and if you want to get picky, the only official set of checks and balances spelled out by the constitution are those in place for the three branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial).



see paragraph 1. I'm quite sure if the government decided to deploy the Seals or Rangers in your neighborhood, all the guns in the world aren't going to help you.

I'm all for the right to bear arms, but the arguments most people use to trumpet its benefits are HIGHLY flawed.

once again you are wrong phineas, on so many levels!
our population is what, 250,000,000? our entire armed forces is what in the range of 5,000,000.. you do the math. (and that's assuming att military personel would be willing to fire on the citizenry!) the seals are damn good, i've know, and worked with them. but they would be the first to refuse to go against our own people. the seec. ops. types are too bright for that. them and the green beenies would stay on their bases.
as for checks, and balances, again you amase me with your lack of knowledge! No matter if i say the sun comes up in the east you'll argue with me and say no! it' comes up in the west! your hatred of me is clouding your judgement, and making you look foolish.
steve