Some mentioned the other one was old. Heres a two-day old article on the same issue.

  • FireTower@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    2
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    Arms as mentioned in the 2A encompasses more than just firearms. It also includes things the magazines, tasers, and armor.

    Per US SC Caetano v. Massachusetts “”[w]eapo[n] of offence" or “thing that a man wears for his defence, or takes into his hands,” that is “carr[ied] . . . for the purpose of offensive or defensive action.” 554 U. S., at 581, 584

      • FireTower@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        edit-2
        1 year ago

        I would interpret that as those useful in the defense of one’s self or one’s homeland. Something that would prevent the enjoyment of the land after it’s use like a cobalt bomb wouldn’t apply in my mind, because it would making the land uninhabitable (invalidating the whole point of defending it). Things like munitions would likely be included with a caveat requiring their storage in the modern equivalent of a powder house, in keeping with the historical tradition of the founding period.

        Wiki link to a specific powder house that was in use at the time of the founding: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powder_House_Square#Old_Powder_House

        Strange and unusual weapons like a shotgun collar from the Saw movies wouldn’t be permissible as those don’t have merit for either common or self defense.

        Kinda touched on a few different aspects there hopefully it’s clear.

        • PizzaMan@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          1 year ago

          So then is it safe to say, that there are some things that can be carried, but are in some way too ridiculous/dangerous to make sense to be covered under the 2a? How does magazines large enough to mow down an entire crowd of children not count?

          • FireTower@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            edit-2
            1 year ago

            I am sorry if I was unclear before, but the qualifier I had sought to relay was that arms aught to have a pragmatic use in either self or common defense. That said it is because magazines are an object of martial value that can be employed in a controlled manner in a style to limit needless collateral damages.

            • PizzaMan@lemmy.world
              link
              fedilink
              arrow-up
              2
              ·
              1 year ago

              the qualifier I had sought to relay was that arms aught to have a pragmatic use in either self or common defense.

              So then as long as it is “pragmatic” and can be carried, we have a right to own it regardless of the danger involved?

              • FireTower@lemmy.world
                link
                fedilink
                arrow-up
                1
                ·
                1 year ago

                Yes and by doing so the onus falls upon you to become educated in it’s safe handling, proficient in it’s operations, and maintenance. Along with displaying acumen in your employment or lack there of with it.

                • PizzaMan@lemmy.world
                  link
                  fedilink
                  arrow-up
                  2
                  ·
                  1 year ago

                  Then you have an unrealistic and terrible definition of what arms are. Citizens should not have the ability to mow down an entire crowd of people because their M134 was deemed “pragmatic”.

                  • FireTower@lemmy.world
                    link
                    fedilink
                    arrow-up
                    1
                    arrow-down
                    1
                    ·
                    1 year ago

                    You say citizens shouldn’t have the ability, I’d say citizens shouldn’t have the motivation. And there I suppose is where we differ.

                    Those types of intentional acts are the culmination of means and motive. There exists pragmatic reasons for one to have a means of offense, but no pragmatic reason to accept a world where a motive for such an offense could preside.

                    I would suggest that the cure to that ailment is addressing wealth disparity and the ways technology has driven our country further apart now more than ever.

                    A nation where martial might resided largely in a people’s milita rather than a government’s army wouldn’t be engaged in eternal foreign warfare as a means of justifying the existence of the military industrial complex but rather acting as a deterrent against invasion.

                    But thank you for at least humoring my perspective.