Why do 2nd amendment enthusists only defend gun ownership?

[WonderGrunion]

I don't see anywhere in the 2nd amendment where the right to bear arms specifies firearms. Maybe my preferred means of self defense is a Scottish Claymore. Why can't I walk down the street with one of those strapped to my back for self defense. I wouldn't even need a concealed carry permit, it would be open carry only.

According to "Deadliest Warrior" and the battle nerds at Slitherine Studios, the Claymore is a very effective way of dispatching a foe. I don't even need to buy ammo for it or load it.

[votingupstart]

1. i think you should have the right - if thats what you chose

of course any local state or federal laws would apply - and i would think it would attract a lot of attention.

[WonderGrunion]

5. The attention is the deterrent

One of the things they always pointed out on the Discovery series, "It Takes A Thief", is that a prominent sign on your lawn / property is the best deterrent against burglary.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

23. Cool but I bet the cachack of a 12 ga. being racked is

a lot more effective.

[Egalitariat]

2. Are you not allowed to carry a Claymore? I'm a "2nd amendment enthusiast" and I am for your right

to carry a Scottish Claymore strapped to your back. With or without a permit.

I'm also a 10th Amendment enthusiast but I stopped carrying that banner 100 years ago.

Good luck!

[WonderGrunion]

6. I would get stopped by the police

in every city in America, even deep in the heart of 2nd amendment loving Texas.

[havocmom]

3. cuz there's not a lot of clammoring for Claymore Control?

I'm fine with you carrying a Claymore. Self defense AND a decent workout just lugging it around. Go for it!

[WonderGrunion]

7. Can I wear a kilt and the face paint too?

I might need the CCP to shoot lightning bolts out of my arse though.

[havocmom]

18. Can you? I assumed that was implied

:shrug:

By the way, in my previous incarnation as a seamstress, I have sewn small lead fishing weights into the hems of more that one kilt for gents who were a wee modest in a windy clime.

[baldguy]

4. Since the 2nd amendment doesn't specify, it means they must hate the Constitution.

[Trajan]

8. Cause many are simply obsessed with guns as personal objects ...

I recall waking up to the sight of my Right Wing Gun Nut brother cuddling his guns after coming home from a serious drunk ....

I find it quite strange ...

[baldguy]

16. Gun fetishists.

That's most of them.

[krispos42]

9. That probably could be revisted too

Although some juristictions consider open displays of weapons "brandishing" unless you're hunting or a Civil War re-enactor or something.

[rurallib]

10. How's about a crossbow?

Or just dressing like Robin Hood complete with bow and arrow.

[WonderGrunion]

12. I think the only archaic weapons you could carry in public

and not get hassled by the cops would be ones that are now considered toys like the boomerang and yo-yo.

[havocmom]

22. Several people carry crossbows in my 'hood

(You should pardon the expression)

[Forkboy]

11. They can have my personal mangonel when they pry it from my cold, dead hands.

[Somawas]

13. Because the NRA is a crowd of government sympathizing pussies.

If they were really concerned about my Second Amendment rights, they'd be talking about my right to own a Virginia class nuclear sub. With lots and lots of warheads and firing codes.

[WonderGrunion]

14. When I was a kid, the NRA was known for hunter safety course

Not this dogmatic proselytizing of gun idolatry that they've become famous for as of late.

[chicago legal pro]

17. If you can afford one, go for it.

[Kaleva]

21. Nukes are classified as destructive devices and not arms

[cherokeeprogressive]

49. Because hyperbole always furthers rational discourse... n/t

[-..__...]

15. Well....

I suppose part of the reason is that only a fool brings a knife to a gun fight... even a big one...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qXlFNYoyQg

"Deadliest Warrior" my ass. B-)

And furthermore, what makes you think that a second amendment case/situation that involves non-firearms isn't important to firearms enthusiasts?

Google "Maloney v. Cuomo". No firearms involved in what could be a very significant 2nd amendment rights case.

Edit to add...

Probably a minor grievance in the big picture, but our/your government is so concerned about the proliferation of non-spring loaded/one handed/"assisted opening knives" that more strict bans and regulations are required...

http://www.kniferights.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=76&Itemid=150

I challenge you to find one example on a firearms related forum where no one is pissed off about it.

[Kaleva]

19. Mad Jack Churchill in WWII carried a claymore

He's the only Brit on record to have felled an enemy soldier with a long bow in that conflict.

[chicago legal pro]

20. I support all the rights in the Constitution, not just the second.

If you want to carry a mine around go for it. But just as I am responsible for misuse of my gun, you will be responsible for misuse of your mine.

[votingupstart]

24. good point - i think that personal responsibility lies at the heart of the issue

do we fear guns? no more than we fear a screwdriver or a car, however we do think about what someone can do with the screw driver or car. they can do wonders for good or bad - but that is the responsibility and decision of the person who utilizes the object, not the object itself.

[WonderGrunion]

38. I mean the giant sword Bravehart used

Not the explosive device used to stop infantry advancements.

[Caliman73]

50. The OP means Claymore as in the broad sword not the explosive device

Why would the OP carry an explosive strapped to his body?

[chicago legal pro]

52. Quite a few people in the Mideast seem to do that.

[walkaway]

25. Because they can only spell three letter words?

[-..__...]

27. WIN!!

And will continue to do so. B-)

How's that Brady Campaign score card been doing lately?

[Canuckistanian]

26. And why can't I start my own militia?

I promise I'll regulate it well.

[-..__...]

28. Didn't you get the SCOTUS memo?

No militia membership necessary.

Get your head out of the dark ages and enlighten yourself.

[Canuckistanian]

29. I just like the militia part

I was planning to use plastic light sabers in my militia. And I get to wear the Darth Vader helmet.

[-..__...]

33. Ahhhh...

a Clone Wars reenactor!

Fun stuff, but the final outcome is always a given.

[doc03]

30. A switchblade knife is illegal

so are brass knuckles. I don't think there is a National Knife Association or a National Knuckle Association.

[-..__...]

34. Actually...

switchblades are legal depending on the state.

There is no federal ban per say, but there is the interstate commerce clause to contend with...

http://home.netcom.com/~brlevine/sta-law.htm

No "National Knife Association"?

Is this close enough?...

http://www.kniferights.org

I know it's no NRA, but... :shrug:

[doc03]

35. In Ohio switchblades, spring-blades,

gravity/butterfly knives or similar weapons are illegal. Also illegal in Ohio brass knuckles, billy, cestus, blackjack, sandbag or similar weapons. My weapon a .40 cal semi-auto pistol with a 17 round capacity, no problem.

[-..__...]

40. State law(s).

All that could change (hopefully), with an incorporation ruling from the SCOTUS and how broadly it's applied.

At the very least state firearms laws that ban or regulate certain categories of firearms (handguns, "assault weapons"), could and should be ruled unconstitutional.

Gravity/butterfly knives, brass knuckles, billy, cestus, blackjack or sandbags might come sooner or later if the Mahoney vs. Cumo is heard by the SCOTUS.

If not, just means more work to be done.

[X_Digger]

36. In some states (FL comes to mind..)

.. a concealed weapons permit allows one to carry a switchblade, billy club, sap, etc. (concealed, though.)

[mysuzuki2]

31. And I think I should be able to carry

a surface to air rocket launcher.

[doc03]

32. You don't have one of those? n/t

[dorkulon]

37. When Claymores are outlawed, only outlaws will have Claymores

:patriot:

[proteus_lives]

39. Why not.

I don't see any reason why a responsible adult can't walk down the street with a sword strapped to their back. But here's the rub and why people don't carry swords anymore.

Guns are an equalizer. As the famous quote goes, "God didn't make all men equal, Mr. Colt did." A firearm enables a small person, old person, disabled person, etc, able to defend themselves against a more physically powerful attacker. Guns were the death of swords, small wonder the Samurai of Japan fought for over a century to keep them out of their lands. They allow a person to keep their distance from a person skilled with say, a sword. It takes a lot less training to learn how to aim straight then it does to correctly wield a large, edged weapon. You could be the greatest swords-master on earth but I don't like your chances against a one-armed man with a .45.

But I think you should carry whatever you're comfortable with. Also, remember "liberals" and "progressives" who want to destroy the 2nd Amendment are just as bad as neo-cons.

BTW, The Deadliest Warrior is a very fun show. I've been to Scotland and seen William Wallace's Claymore. Almost as tall as I am!

[dorkulon]

41. Another thing guns did

was make it a lot easier to kill someone. At least with blades you really had to want them dead enough to get within close range and engage them, making killing someone a lot more of a commitment. Now it's kind of like turning them off with a remote control.

[proteus_lives]

44. Guns changed the world.

Without them, it would be much harder to change over from feudal systems to proto-republics/democracies. An average, untrained and ill-educated villager could stand against a trained nobleman and his man-at-arms/mercenaries.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

42. I doubt you could lift a real claymore, and the baldric for it is less than comfortable as well

[ProgressiveProfessor]

43. Your statement is false as to fact

Its the anti gun bigots who only support some rights...

[Irreverend IX]

45. I don't see why carrying a sword should be illegal.

It won't do much good against a gun, but it would work great against a guy with a knife. There's no logical reason to ban switchblades or brass knuckles, either; there's nothing they can do that legal items like a tire iron or fixed-blade knife can't. The laws against those things are more a product of moral panic than logic.

[doc03]

46. A couple years ago they arrested a

guy for wearing a mask in nearby Wheeling, WV. I believe at the time a company was involved in a labor dispute and this guy was picketing the corporate headquarters wearing a pig or gorilla mask. Anyway they arrested the guy, there happens to be a city ordinance outlawing wearing a mask in public. They also arrested a guy a while back for carrying a sword, I think he was also naked.

[Bandit]

47. There are laws against certain types of guns and laws against certain types of knives

In most places I believe a three and a half inch blade is the maximum allowed to be kept in your pocket, I don't know what laws are applied to openly worn knives or hatchets or whatever a Scottish claymore might be.

[cherish44]

48. Bearing arms and free speech are rights but they are also privileges

and with privilege come responsibility. People seem to forget that.

[Caliman73]

51. No...

Rights are not privileges. Rights exist outside the confines of the law. Their practice can be modified by the law, but that is different than a privilege. Privileges are granted by the authorities and can be taken away for any reason.

Rights carry responsibilities in a society but generally cannot be taken away except with good cause. Privileges carry restrictions decided upon by the authority. You are correct that people often act in ways that are irresponsible. What they are doing is not respecting the rights of others. It is like the saying, "My rights end where yours begin", which is tricky, but has nothing to do with free speech, firearms rights, right against illegal search, due process, etc being privileges that can be arbitrarily given and taken away.

[Joanne98]

53. That's a good question. Why is it that they NEVER defend any of the other amendments.

[anonymous171]

54. Yeah, you just need to clean it every day and replace it after it gets chipped (which it will.)

A gun requires much less maintenance and training.

[Indy Lurker]

55. It is legal in Illinois

Outside Chicago.

Any knife over 3" is a deadly weapon, you can carry one, but if you commit a crime while carrying it, you may be charged with enhanced penalties.

But that doesn't mean you wont be arrested for disorderly conduct.

There are a lot of thing that are otherwise legal, that can be considered disorderly conduct.

But it's not a weapon's / 2nd amendment issue.

ONEDIT:

It is also worth noting that the Heller decision, which is on track to be incorporated into the states, says that only weapons in common usage are protected by the 2nd amendment. This would tend to exclude sawed off shotguns, full auto rifles, lances, and Scottish Claymores.