Very interesting. A lot of the same tired rhetoric expressed by the usual culprits in other threads dealing with virtually the same topic but here and there a good discussion has emerged and some thoughtful and though out comments from both, of rather, the many sides of this issue.

I contemplated the argument that the founders could not have foreseen the technological changes in firearms. I have to agree with this in part. And disagree with it in part.

For all the cosmetic changes hand guns and long rifles have gone through the basic mechanics are pretty much the same as they were at the time of the American Revolution. It might surprize some to learn that there were repeating and automatic firing weapons around in that day too. Not as successful as those of today but then again just about everything mechanical form those days has been improved. Faster, more farther and higher. It's the faster and more aspects that concerns most folks. That and better over all functionality.

But the REAL arena of weaponry improvement is in the sole hand of the Federal Government. Here the development is nothing short of awesome. The biggest daddy is, of course the atomic arsenal. A million people armed with submachine guns don't stand a chance. If the Founders felt that we might need our personal weapons to take back the country, should it fall into the hands of deceivers, the corrupt and unscrupulous (which many feel it already has fallen), they certainly did not foresee the tremendous technical strides in the mega-arsenal our government wields today. Truly the citizens' firearms ARE for personal protection and recreation.

I hate it when anyone abuses the right to keep and bear arms. He provides the enemies of this right propaganda against the righteous citizen who behaves in a responsible manner. I hate crime period. And I hold special contempt for those who commit crimes with a firearm or some weaponry that puts the victim at a decided disadvantage. Where a firearm is present in the hand of the intended victim of a crime it is often a different story. The crime is thwarted and the perpetrator is captured or put to flight. A fighting chance, that's all I ask.

I have to give Big Mick thanks because he called me on dragging partisan politics into my earlier posts. I have known and hunted with life long friends who were/are gun toting Democrats. I fell into one of the things I really hate and that is type-casting, stereotyping. Mea culpa and thanks for pointing that out Big Mick.