Victor Ikhuehi
Dr. Megan McGregor
History 1301, 2pm
11/13/2016
Gun control in America
Introduction
Saul Cornell’s book, “A Well-Regulated Militia,” examines several notions regarding the right of Americans to bear arms as prevalent in several historical moments. The author’s study looks into the static conception that was dominant in several public discussions for the constitutional provision applicable to gun control. He traces some of the element that pose as competitive influences on the rights of individuals states and the role that arms played in the united states’ society. However, he overlooks the republican pairing of the duties as well as the rights of gun owner-ship in the late 18th century America. It would be essential to view …show more content…
The enthusiasm was expressed through the militia, a provision that would supersede legislative acts as well as the written constitution (Cornell 896-897). The Whiskey Rebels viewed their situation under the Federal Constitution as an improvement of their situation before the Revolution. The plebian constitutionalism did not only challenge the vision held by elite Federalists, but the Democratic-Republicans’ state-centered constitutionalism. For this reason, the militia under the Whiskey Rebellion acted as an agent of the spirit of the community, a view that opposed the idea that the state was the suitable agent that could mobilize the militia.
The position of both the Federalists and Anti-Federalists on gun control and standing armies
Federalists echoed the sentiments from the Founding Fathers in relation to the aspect of gun control, to which they emphasized on the needs for the right to bear and keep arms as a factor that should be included in the constitution. The sentiments follow the thoughts of statesman Noah Webster, who advocated for the idea that America’s supreme power could not enforce unjust laws forcefully (Cornell 46). They could not do so because when people were armed, their force could be superior to that wielded by the regular troops. The government did not have to fear trusting its …show more content…
The Founding Fathers advocated for the inclusion of the access to firearms, devoid of governmental interference, in the constitution. In spite of the desire exhibited by the Founding Fathers, some arguments cropped up against the inclusion of the provision into the constitution. The rejection of the Founding Fathers’ sentiments did not only lead to the rise in debates about gun control, but they led to disagreements between Federalists and Anti-Federalists on the role of the national government in commanding and funding the state militias. However, the freedom to bear arms should be looked at from the perspective of people’s civic obligations. References
Carter, Gregg L. Gun Control in the United States: A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO, 2006. Print.
Cornell, Saul. "Mobs, Militias, And Magistrates: Popular Constitutionalism And The Whiskey Rebellion". Chicago-Kent Law Review 81.3 (2006): 883-903. Print.
Cornell, Saul. A Well-Regulated Militia: The Founding Fathers and the Origins of Gun Control in America. 1st ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.
Dr. Megan McGregor
History 1301, 2pm
11/13/2016
Gun control in America
Introduction
Saul Cornell’s book, “A Well-Regulated Militia,” examines several notions regarding the right of Americans to bear arms as prevalent in several historical moments. The author’s study looks into the static conception that was dominant in several public discussions for the constitutional provision applicable to gun control. He traces some of the element that pose as competitive influences on the rights of individuals states and the role that arms played in the united states’ society. However, he overlooks the republican pairing of the duties as well as the rights of gun owner-ship in the late 18th century America. It would be essential to view …show more content…
The enthusiasm was expressed through the militia, a provision that would supersede legislative acts as well as the written constitution (Cornell 896-897). The Whiskey Rebels viewed their situation under the Federal Constitution as an improvement of their situation before the Revolution. The plebian constitutionalism did not only challenge the vision held by elite Federalists, but the Democratic-Republicans’ state-centered constitutionalism. For this reason, the militia under the Whiskey Rebellion acted as an agent of the spirit of the community, a view that opposed the idea that the state was the suitable agent that could mobilize the militia.
The position of both the Federalists and Anti-Federalists on gun control and standing armies
Federalists echoed the sentiments from the Founding Fathers in relation to the aspect of gun control, to which they emphasized on the needs for the right to bear and keep arms as a factor that should be included in the constitution. The sentiments follow the thoughts of statesman Noah Webster, who advocated for the idea that America’s supreme power could not enforce unjust laws forcefully (Cornell 46). They could not do so because when people were armed, their force could be superior to that wielded by the regular troops. The government did not have to fear trusting its …show more content…
The Founding Fathers advocated for the inclusion of the access to firearms, devoid of governmental interference, in the constitution. In spite of the desire exhibited by the Founding Fathers, some arguments cropped up against the inclusion of the provision into the constitution. The rejection of the Founding Fathers’ sentiments did not only lead to the rise in debates about gun control, but they led to disagreements between Federalists and Anti-Federalists on the role of the national government in commanding and funding the state militias. However, the freedom to bear arms should be looked at from the perspective of people’s civic obligations. References
Carter, Gregg L. Gun Control in the United States: A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO, 2006. Print.
Cornell, Saul. "Mobs, Militias, And Magistrates: Popular Constitutionalism And The Whiskey Rebellion". Chicago-Kent Law Review 81.3 (2006): 883-903. Print.
Cornell, Saul. A Well-Regulated Militia: The Founding Fathers and the Origins of Gun Control in America. 1st ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.