The Founders' Second Amendment: Origins of the Right to Bear Arms (Independent Studies in Political Economy)
Reviews (117)
Required reading for ALL Americans!
Disclaimer: Long, thoughtful, politically incorrect post. Polite, constructive, thoughtful discussion welcomed. Stephen Halbrook's "The Founders' Second Amendment: Origins of the Right to Bear Arms" is an amazing scholarly review of the origins of 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution. Out of 450 total pages, this book has over 90 pages in citations alone. For any one participating on either side of the "gun" debate today, this book in my opinion is required reading. I admit, I like history. Especially U.S. history as it relates to the founding of the colonies, the revolutionary war, and the creation of the U.S. constitutional republic. This book describes life just prior to the revolutionary war and the oppression by the King of England. It also describes the discussions around the Bill Of Rights as they were not originally given in the U.S. Constitution but were demanded by the people at large. What I learned: - The text of the 2nd Amendment is to be read in two parts. The first half of the sentence preceding the comma is a politically declarative thought; the second half after the comma is an actionable statement as to what the government can never do. - The militia was always referred to as the people at large (aka the general citizenry). Standing armies were viewed as a threat to liberty. Having an armed society was/is the best prevention to any threat and is to preserve liberty. - Natural rights precede any government and are/were never granted by government. They are to be protected and never infringed. - Due to the oppression by the King of England, a declaration of rights was demanded by the people of the colonies. Always included in this was the right to keep and bear arms for the natural right of self-defense from any person, persons/groups, and for hunting. "Game laws" were used to limit/subvert the rights of arms by the people. - I agree with Thomas Jefferson in that the Bill of Rights did not go far enough to linguistically chain politicians and government down to make it difficult for the rights to be infringed upon. - Considering the Bill of Rights discussion, I would like to find another book which goes through the entire history of Bill of Rights from each of the colonies and the debates on each side. To my friends who are on both sides of this issue, this is a *must* read. You are doing all a dis-service by not reading it. (less)
History of the Second Amendment
If you want to know all about the 2nd Amendment, this is the book to read. This book takes you through the Revolutionary War and onward to the creation of the Constitution. You can understand the thought behind the Constitutions construction. By the end of the book you know what every word of the Second Amendment means. And also how it is laid in with the other parts of the Bill of Rights. This book is really well written. I can not imagine a better book to read on this topic, whatever your views on guns are.
Well done history and 2A book
This is as much a history book, as it is an investigation into the drivers behind the 2nd Amendment. Very objective, founded in facts. Truly an eye opening book if you are interested in honest American history and the second amendment.
great book
This is a great book on the 2nd amendment. Gives a good history of how it came to be and what the founding fathers intentions were.
This is a really compelling look at the history of 2A
I wish everyone with an opinion about the Second Amendment would read the history behind those words. This is a superb book about the subject.
A history of the second amendment
In some circles, a hotly debated book on the history of the second amendment
good book
good book
material was as advertized
material was in very good shape for being used. arrived when expected.
Great history
This is a great history of not only the 2nd Amendment but the founding principals of our country. If only we would teach this is school today!
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