I attended a Town Hall Meeting at the Tee Pee in Tomah Sunday afternoon. I want to pass on that I did not know that there was a preamble to the Bill of Rights.

From the Preamble dated Dec. 15, 1791: “THE Conventions of a number of the States having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution.” Read that again. Notice that those in Congress were responding to a healthy distrust of government. Furthermore, the Ninth Amendment says that rights not mentioned in the Constitution remain with the people. And, the tenth says that powers not delegated by the Constitution remain with the states or to the people.

Question: How does that stack up with President Obama’s statement; “Says what the Federal government can’t do to you, but doesn’t say what the Federal government or State government must do on your behalf…?” (From a transcript of an interview at Chicago’s WBEZ fm in 2001.)

The Second Amendment has a confusing reference to a militia. Confusing because we think “National Guard” when the term “militia” is used. In U.S. history, “the whole body of men declared by law amenable to military service, without enlistment, whether armed and drilled or not”(1777, wordreference.com). Please notice and realize that in order to be in the militia, you could NOT be in the armed services! The new government fully expected the citizens to be armed in order to protect themselves.

Now read the second amendment. “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.” Now that you know the meaning of militia in 1777, it gives you a more clear meaning. Hopefully, this will aid in your future discussions on the individual’s right to keep and bear arms.

Celebrate!

Bob Janovick,

Sparta