Originally posted by: Kevin Lewis
This is a common misinterpretation of the Second Amendment. The clause that begins the first sentence is a restrictive clause, albeit not in the form one usually sees it.
Gun lovers have, for decades, interpreted the Amendment to mean blanket permission, carte blanche, for anybody and everybody to own AND BRANDISH big guns, small guns, rocket launchers, nuclear weapons, etc. That's neither the intention nor the language of the Amendment.
I know you're intentionally being a bit hyperbolic but it doesn't include all of the weapons you listed as some are not defensive arms. That is a bit of a straw man.
It definitely does not include the right to brandish. Unless you have a completely different definition than what I understand.
I believe the framers intended it as a right to all individuals to own and train in the use of weapons in defense of themselves, their land, and their state, and to form or organize groups to the same end.
The people were the militia, and the militia were the people.
Part of the idea is to have everyone familiar enough with the use of arms so that if the need arises they could join an organized militia or if one was formed, an army.
