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  • Just did some digging about the history of the 2nd amendment.

    It was likely lifted from the English Bill of Rights that is most notable for separating the monarchy from parliament but also granted the right to all civilians to bear arms. At the time, only Catholics were allowed to carry a sword so the idea was to allow protestants to be armed also. It was a statement of religious equality.

    They didn't even start using firearms in a widespread way for another 150 years ffs.

  • Also, when the Constitution was written, it made the formation of a standing army unconstitutional. The congress were concerned it could be used by the government as an instrument of tyranny, as they saw the British Army. They envisaged a continuation of the use of militias, so arming bears was a necessity. Once they decided they should have an army, and changed the Constitution to allow it, one could argue the 2nd Ammendment effectively became redundant

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