Try telling that to 200 year old ghosts wearing powdered wigs.
*“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop to look around once in a while you could miss it.” - Ferris Bueller
*
His definition? Possibly. The accepted definition at that time? Absolutely not. (Jefferson did, after all, free all the slaves on his land)
If you say it, mean it. If you mean it, do it.
If you do it, live it. If you live it, say it.
Joe Cool
Slythe: I’m part of the evil “One World Government Conspiracy!” Didn’t you know?
If Cecil Adams did not exist, we would be obliged to create Him.
Uh, Joe? He freed the slaves.
In his will.
As far as the “Freemen” definition goes, I’m not sure that limiting the ownership of guns to white males who own land is gonna go far nowadays.
Eagles may soar free and proud, but weasels never get sucked into jet engines.
SingleDad wrote:
Except that’s not the way it’s always been. Thomas Jefferson’s first loyalty was to Virginia, as was Robert E. Lee’s (and most others who were born before the Civil War).
Every adult? Including retarded people and blind people? What about people who aren’t Americans? Who will administer the registration process (so we can verify compliance)? What will be the punishment for failure to purchase? Will there be a different punishment for failure to maintain? What if you can’t afford to purchase? Will you use a new tax to give guns to the inner petty drug peddlers who can’t afford them? What if you’re too incompetent to maintain your weapon properly, will you force people who know how to maintain the weapons to help people who can’t? Or maybe have another tax to subsidize maintenance for spastics and paraplegics? Who pays for the shooting lessons? Are there standards? Who sets them and has oversight?
Libertarian: Change “adult” to “able-bodied citizen”. Other than that, I would leave the details to the legislatures, a time-honored constitutional precept. 
Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
Great, Singledad! I can use that one!
When I get asked all those detail questions, instead of spending hours in reply and providing links, I’ll say I’ll leave them to the government, a time-honored political precept.
I’d still have trouble with the notion of being compelled to buy a weapon. We’d no longer have the freedom NOT to purchase a gun? I don’t think so!
Feel free to correct me at any time. But don’t be surprised if I try to correct you.
Sorry, Lib, I was just being flip; it’s almost time to go home. I’ll have a more detailed response later this evening.
Damn I love my job!
Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
Libertarian:
*Every adult? Including retarded people and blind people? What about people who aren’t Americans? *
Good points. I amend my proposal to include only able-bodied citizens.
Who will administer the registration process (so we can verify compliance)?
The state civilian militia administration.
*What will be the punishment for failure to purchase? Will there be a different punishment for failure to maintain? *
Whatever the current National Guard/State Militia uses.
What if you can’t afford to purchase? Will you use a new tax to give guns to the inner petty drug peddlers who can’t afford them?
I think it’s not too much to ask that the government advance a low-interest loan so the citizen could fulfill his responsibility.
What if you’re too incompetent to maintain your weapon properly, will you force people who know how to maintain the weapons to help people who can’t?
They’re called instructors. If a person is just too incompetent, they their commander would issue them a plastic fork.
Or maybe have another tax to subsidize maintenance for spastics and paraplegics?
Able-bodied citizens. As amended.
Who pays for the shooting lessons?
Do we not have the obligation to pay for the protection and defense of our society? Taxes, my boy, taxes! 
Are there standards? Who sets them and has oversight?
The governor normally has command of the militia. The state legislature would have the power to set standards. This idea is supported by current law. I would add to my proposal, “under the command of the governor and regulated by the legislatures of the separate states”
Thank you for your constructive criticism. It has allowed me to improve my proposition.
Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
jab1: Claim a religious exemption. Otherwise suck it up and learn how to shoot. You have an obligation to protect and defend your society.
Small prob, SingleDad. Is there an alternative for us non-violent types? Don’t want to spend time in the hoosegow, but I’m not touching a gun.
Eagles may soar free and proud, but weasels never get sucked into jet engines.
SingleDad:
When the time for consfiscation comes, I hope you’ll be the first one through my door.
Good ol’ Califboomer, just looking for an excuse to use the bang-stick.
Eagles may soar free and proud, but weasels never get sucked into jet engines.
Slyth: Claim a religious exemption. I would add, “religion or personal morality” to my proposal.
P.S. CalifBoomer is now on my “troll” list. I’m neither reading nor responding to his posts.
Here’s my version of the 2nd amendment:
“Each state shall have the right to conscript a well-regulated militia for its defense and that of the federal government.”
This makes it clear that the states have the right to raise militias while leaving governments free to legislate the ownership of dangerous weapons in the way that the voters decide. The state militias would be authorized to help in defense of the federal government in case of war.
Short and sweet, Arnold. Would that be authorized, but not required?
Eagles may soar free and proud, but weasels never get sucked into jet engines.
slythe, I suppose you’re asking about my last sentence “The state militias would be authorized to help in defense of the federal government in case of war.” Since I didn’t put that in the text of my “amendment” it’s not clear whether or not it’s an obligation I guess.
I would suppose you could leave it up to each state to decide whether or not they would want their militia to join the federal army in case of war. Note that my amendment does not say that a state must have a militia. In any event, the state militias would not be intended as a replacement for the federal troops.