Quote:
Originally Posted by tw
What is out of range now that the Second Amendment says we can all own 155 mm howitzers and other weapons of 'defense'.
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Tw is particularly shortchanged on US firearms history, in especial that from the beginning of the nation you could privately purchase field guns -- with intent -- for any private use you saw fit, and none to gainsay you; indeed, nothing but the weight of your purse. Shooting off that much powder per bang ran into money. Consequently, most such guns were like 4-pounders. They were cheaper to feed.
Full-auto smokeless powder arms? -- up through the Roaring Twenties. How much .45 ammo did you want for your Thompson gun? That ran into bucks too.
Tw's use of "now" seems more ill-advised than usual. Further, there is that whole
best defense aphorism. One who is attuned to civil rights teaches that you have, gain, and keep those rights you can enforce. Lethal force, even. You lose the rights you can't, or aren't allowed to, and that spells trouble. Tyranny (even inappropriateness) being worse than application of lethal force to tyrants -- or their staffers.