I never advocated "suspending" the Second Amendment because conditions were different then. I'm just saying we can think about how things were when the amendment was created vs. how they are now.
Here are a few other things I've always wondered:
- If guns are the greatest defense against government tyranny, people with guns should be the most confident. Yet gun advocates seem to be the most worried about tyranny, specifically that the government will take their guns away. If they believe the government can do that, then what good are the guns against tyranny?
- How would a militia armed with guns fight a government that (unlike in Jefferson and Washington's time) has access to tanks, fighter jets, missles, nuclear weapons, etc.?
- Why is it assumed that if a random assortment of gun owners seized power, that they would abuse it any less than the tyrannical government?
That said, if some see the need to prepare for a hypothetical armed resistance against a tyrannical government, it seems to me there should be some way to balance that with dealing with the mass-shooting problem that is happening right now. I don't know what the answer is, which is why I usually don't get involved in political debates, but my point was basically that the conversation on gun control just seems to go in circles. I'm not blaming the pro-gun side entirely for this, I'm just saying that labeling anyone who proposes any sort of gun control law as a potential fascist doesn't help.
I am glad to see that you don't advocate armed resistance. What makes American democracy great, (in theory, at least) is the transfer of power without bloodshed. Jefferson's quote about watering the Tree of Liberty with blood creeps me out a little, making it sound like it's a requirement rather than a last resort.
Let's take a look at how it was different back then for the Fourth. They didn't have terrorist attacks like we do today, and Weapons of Mass Destruction(WMDS) weren't invented. One terrorist could take out a city. Or one terrorist with multiple conventional bombs could shut down a city. Therefore, the police need to be able to search people and their property whenever they feel like it might help.
We can't go down the slippery slope of "It was different then".
We are worried about it because we see it as the biggest threat to America. An all of a sudden confiscation will not happen anytime soon because that WOULD start Civil War 2. They (the hopeful tyrants) will use the how to boil a frog method, just like with Nazi Germany. It started off small, and ended with confiscation and millions dead. On why we are the most worried, consider this. I don't believe global warming is a threat(I believe the Earth goes through hot and cold times, not influenced by man). Therefore, I'm not worried about it. But if you (I don't know what you believe, I'm just using you as an example) do believe it, you will take note and worry when you see higher temperature averages.
A militia could definitely take on the government. Our military at the top of its game with international allies couldn't take out jihadis in Iraq or Afghanistan. The military families were thousands of miles away, safe. I hate to say it, but no one, even women and children, would be safe in a revolution/civil war/ armed insurrection. Neither would storage facilities, high ranking officials (all it takes is one guy with a scoped rifle, training, and one round), etc. If the government were to turn on the people, you would see large defection or refusal from all branches of the military, that slows down, shrinks, and decreases combat efficiency. Would all defect/refuse? No, but a good amount would. Those military members that defected to the people? They will bring some of their equipment. All those wars we have been in? Those are combat veterans, many of them will take up arms and carry out their oath. Then you have ordinary civilians who will rise up. All those ARs, AK, etc. and billions of rounds of ammo will be available.
And in a scenario like this, the economy would go into depression or collapse. Not only would patriots be hitting government convoys, you would see road gangs pop up like pirates, plundering where they could. You would almost guaranteed be looking at hundreds of thousands or millions dead. If you can't guess, I study in depth threats to America. I won't go into hypothetical like viruses, famine, EMP, outside intervention, etc. though.
You are absolutely correct, there is no guarantee that the new government wouldn't be as bad or worse. But if it is, the people are already armed and in combat mode. The war just continues. However, I would say a majority of the people who rise up would want to go back to following the Constitution closely. Does that mean we are safe? No. But if the people are fed up enough to fight a tyrannical government, you can bet they will want to fight until they feel safe.
If anyone here has any ideas on how to stop or decrease the amount of mass shootings, I am all ears. Say it, please! If I don't like it, I'll debate it with you. Maybe you'll change your mind, maybe I'll change mine, maybe we will figure something out that sounds good to both parties. If there is very little to no communication between sides, how are they to get along and agree on anything? The worst we can do is agree to disagree.
I think what makes America great is the people, and that they are free. They are free to, as long as it doesn't infringe on others (still working on it in areas, never will be perfect) you can do as you wish. You can worship as you please or don't, you can speak freely. You can defend yourself. You can be safe from government intrusion in your home and life. If you don't like something, you have the ability to go try to change it. Leaders, good and bad, come and go peacefully. And when in times of crisis, we band together, yet still have debate to make sure our nation is doing what is right. We have fought in numerous wars for survival, always banding together. We have seen economic depression, and economic prosperity. What makes America great are
Americans. Every group contributes something. From far right to far left, we all have a place, and we all contribute. No one group has all the answers. But united we stand.
Natura. Yes, that is their most important purpose. However, self defense, hunting, target shooting, etc. are all allowed, protected, and (by me and many others) encouraged.
Lex Rex. The law is king. Law is above all. The government and politics should follow the law just the same as every individual American. And the Constitution is the top law of the land.
Kobuk. It would definitely be heavy guerilla warfare. And seeing that we couldn't defeat the North Koreans, North Vietnamese, or jihads (Soviets couldn't defeat these guys either), I have full faith a tyrannical government could not win. It would be horrific, but should be worth it.