Grave_n_idle wrote:No. States have no hands. They can't bear arms.
This is the most circular and ridiculous line of reasoning I've ever seen.
The framers of the constitution, who used the term "the People" extensively in many places, such as the following:
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
"The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature."
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."
really meant something completely different in the 2nd amendment than in every other instance in the Constitution where the phrase is used. In fact, you argue that only the rights of the people whom the state chooses are protected. If you expect me to buy this, just because GnI says so, you're barking up the wrong tree.
Unless of course, you think freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of press... that's really talking only about the people whom the states choose should get those rights, because after all, it uses the same group - "the people." If that's your position... I'm frightened and hope you never go into politics.