Historical Perspectives

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Historical Perspectives
The U.S. Constitution
Teacher Information
by Elaine Lopez
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Historical Perspectives
How have ideas in the Constitution as changed by
amendment and interpretation, and other laws,
affected relationships between individuals and
government?
(MOSTD. IV.C, 1.21.31.61.10)
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Historical Perspectives
Amendment II - Right to keep and bear arms.
Ratified 12/15/1791. A well regulated Militia,
being necessary to the security of a free State,
the right of the people to keep and bear Arms,
shall not be infringed. What was the intent of
this amendment and how has it changed over
time?
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Historical Perspectives
At the time of the writing of the Constitution,
citizen militias, what eventually became the
National Guard, were a major part of what made
this country free. The authors did not want their
government, or any future government, to take
from the people their ability to defend
themselves against aggressors, from the inside or
out.
INTENT
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Historical Perspectives
Has our thinking changed regarding the 2nd
Amendment?
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Historical Perspectives
Allowing citizens to carry concealed weapons
deters violent crimes, and it appears to produce
no increase in accidental deaths. (NRA) We
should not do away with the 2nd Amendment. People
want to change it, but that will never happen,
nor should it. We've gotten on fine with the
amendment the way it is since it was adopted.
Leave it to the people of any one time to
interpret it as they might, and let it foster a
healthy debate among Americans.
PROS
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Historical Perspectives
Then, arms, or more rightly, muzzle-loaded
muskets, were an essential part of the defense of
freedom. If the authors had any foreknowledge of
the types of weapons people would be able to buy
nowadays, they may have wanted to rethink this
amendment. But if the interpretation of it is
that the people have the right to bear arms so
that a militia force, capable of beating back an
external threat, can be properly maintained, then
you have to admit, it is pretty out dated now.
Even a militia as a deterrent to internal tyranny
is out of sync with the reality of the United
States of America.
CONS
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Historical Perspectives
How do you feel the 2nd Amendment should be
interpreted? Reread the INTENT of the amendment
as written by the founding fathers. As you
respond to the above question, discuss whether
our interpretation today is what was intended in
1791. Are you on the PRO side or the CON side?
Explain.
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by Elaine Lopez