By Charles Bloomer

Remarks delivered to the Prince William County (VA) Republican Women's Club, January 7, 2008.

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

The debate surrounding the Second Amendment generally falls into one of three categories – esoteric and philosophical, emotional, or practical. The esoteric, philosophical approach tries to discern the amendment's meaning by parsing and deconstructing the language of the amendment, by arguing the definitions of various words such as militia, "the people", or the meaning of "bear arms". Even the grammar of the amendment is analyzed – dependent clauses, independent clauses, even the placement of the commas. The case currently before the Supreme Court, Heller vs District of Columbia, hinges on the meaning of "the people", and whether the meaning of "the people" in the Second Amendment is the same as the meaning of "the people" in other places in the Bill of Rights. The Court's ruling will be interesting in light of a recent poll that shows that two-thirds of Americans believe that the right to keep and bear arms is an individual right.

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Alright, let's talk Militia. Where the Original Intent of the Founders was for citizens to have a gun within easy reach.

By John Longenecker

Today, we are having a debate we should never have. We are squabbling about the force which backs our authority under our system. Can you imagine some people actually rooting for the disarmament of the force which backs their very Citizen Authority in this country?

They root for the disarmament of the people in the name of safe streets. What they fail to realize is that armed citizens make for safe streets, and disarmament makes for unsafe streets – a boondoggle for the industries which thrive on violence. Today, the anti-violence movement is, itself, predatory.

Idaho tries to attract firearm manufacturers

By Joshua Palmer

Idaho has taken its first step in an aggressive campaign to attract gun manufacturers and other outdoor recreation industries.

Known as the Recreational Technology Campaign, Idaho Department of Commerce is partnering with the state's regional economic development groups to market Idaho as the best state for gun manufacturers to do business.

State officials say the campaign is targeting gun manufacturers in states that are growing increasingly hostile toward firearms and ammunition manufacturers - at least 12 states have either passed, or are discussing legislation that would make it more difficult for gun manufacturers to operate.

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