Owen Sparks
member
- Joined
- May 27, 2007
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According to the Constitution class I took over the Summer the 2A is specifically worded to prevent the right to keep and bear arms from being infringed by state and local governments.
Notice the First Amendment starts with the phrase “Congress shall make no law…” This means that the federal government could not establish a particular national religion or prohibit the practice of any other. This was a limitation on the power of the federal government not the states.
At the time several states actually had an official state religion. Pennsylvania for example was ‘The Quaker state.’ And only practicing Quakers could hold public office, vote or serve on juries. This practice went on for several decades after the Bill of Rights was adopted.
The Second Amendment however is not limited to Congress. Notice the phrase
“The right of the people to keep and bear arms SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.” This wording was carefully chosen to limit government at every level from infringing on the right of the people to possess the tools necessary to protect their lives, liberty and property.
Notice the First Amendment starts with the phrase “Congress shall make no law…” This means that the federal government could not establish a particular national religion or prohibit the practice of any other. This was a limitation on the power of the federal government not the states.
At the time several states actually had an official state religion. Pennsylvania for example was ‘The Quaker state.’ And only practicing Quakers could hold public office, vote or serve on juries. This practice went on for several decades after the Bill of Rights was adopted.
The Second Amendment however is not limited to Congress. Notice the phrase
“The right of the people to keep and bear arms SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.” This wording was carefully chosen to limit government at every level from infringing on the right of the people to possess the tools necessary to protect their lives, liberty and property.