Hi, all -
There is one interpretation of the wording of the Second Ammmendment that I do not recall ever having seen discussed. The wording I'm wondering about is in the first part, where it says, " A well regulated militia...".
It seems that, in most arguments against the Ammendment applying to individual rights, the antis interpret the phrase "well regulated" to mean "strictly controlled" or something similar.
What about the interpretation of the word "regulated" when it means "equipped" or "specified" or "set"? As in the twin barrels of a double rifle being regulated to a certain load. A quick stop by an online dictionary yielded (among others) the following three definitions of the word "regulate".
1. To adjust to a particular specification or requirement.
2. To adjust (a mechanism) for accurate and proper functioning.
3. To put or maintain in order.
Does anyone know if the word had a generally accepted meaning in the late 1700's that is different from that accepted today? Could the founding fathers have meant that we needed to be well equipped?
Yeah, it's possible I have too much time on my hands! (But I'm striving to become well equipped.)
R-Tex
There is one interpretation of the wording of the Second Ammmendment that I do not recall ever having seen discussed. The wording I'm wondering about is in the first part, where it says, " A well regulated militia...".
It seems that, in most arguments against the Ammendment applying to individual rights, the antis interpret the phrase "well regulated" to mean "strictly controlled" or something similar.
What about the interpretation of the word "regulated" when it means "equipped" or "specified" or "set"? As in the twin barrels of a double rifle being regulated to a certain load. A quick stop by an online dictionary yielded (among others) the following three definitions of the word "regulate".
1. To adjust to a particular specification or requirement.
2. To adjust (a mechanism) for accurate and proper functioning.
3. To put or maintain in order.
Does anyone know if the word had a generally accepted meaning in the late 1700's that is different from that accepted today? Could the founding fathers have meant that we needed to be well equipped?
Yeah, it's possible I have too much time on my hands! (But I'm striving to become well equipped.)
R-Tex