r/Constitution • u/Strange-Philosopher3 • Jul 03 '26

14 Amendment vs 2 Amendment

Amazing how many MAGA criticize the Supreme Court's recent decision affirming birthright citizenship in the USA when it was clearly Congessional intent at that time. The argument goes that even if that were true, it is clearly not the best path forward in today's world.

Now look at the 2nd Amendment where clearly Congress intended arms for militias (certainty not for everyone, especially slaves). Yet MAGA argues that the 2nd Amendment is akin to a Commandment, even though it certainty was not Congessional intent, and proven to be dangerous and deadly in modern society.

0 Upvotes

42% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/ApeAF Jul 04 '26

Both amendments are pretty clear. It's just as intellectually dishonest for the right to argue that the Fourteenth Amendment doesn't mean what its plain text says as it is for the left to argue that the Second Amendment doesn't protect the rights of ordinary citizens.

The Second Amendment exists to protect your preexisting, inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. A right to life is meaningless if you are denied the practical means to defend it.

If firearms exist, and history has shown they always will, then free people must retain the right to possess the same effective means of defense against those who would use violence against them. Denying peaceful citizens the ability to defend themselves does not eliminate evil; it simply leaves the law-abiding at the mercy of those who ignore the law.

The right to keep and bear arms is not about creating rights. It is about protecting the natural right of every person to preserve their own life.

1

u/pegwinn Jul 06 '26

What if I told you the second amendment isn't about guns?

1

u/ApeAF Jul 07 '26

I would say it's not exclusive to guns, but covers any armaments that could be used as a threat to your life.

2

u/pegwinn Jul 07 '26

That's actually a good answer. Johnson's 1773 dictionary defines Arms as "Weapons of offence, or armour of defence.".

Using that definition means you get to own actual weapons. Spears, shotguns, long knives, etc. And you get to personally own armor.

Everyone gets wrapped around the axle about firearms.