Gun Control & RKBA
In reply to the discussion: 2nd Amendment showerthought... [View all]jimmy the one
(2,717 posts)Kang: As if it couldn't get any worse, you have the state constitutions.
Kentucky: The right of the citizens to bear arms in defence of themselves and the State.. (1792)
Vermont: The people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and the State (1777)
Pennsylvania: That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and the state; 1776).
Note that 'the right to bear arms for the state', should be construed as synonymous with a 'duty' to belong to militia.
As well, Kentucky added this: Kentucky: The right to bear arms in defense of themselves and of the State, subject to the power of the General Assembly to enact laws to prevent persons from carrying concealed weapons. (enacted 1891).
Tennessee gets special mention too: 1796: "That the freemen of this State have a right to keep and to bear arms for their common defence."
1834: "..free white men of this State have a right to keep and to bear arms for their common defence."
That the citizens of this State have a right to keep and to bear arms for their common defense; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms with a view to prevent crime 1870.
Above are militia centric (exc Tennessee explicitly), rkba for both self & state. None individual only.
As teddyR might say, you 'forgot' these, kang:
Florida: 1838: "That the free white men of this State shall have a right to keep and to bear arms for their common defence."
(Lousiana) 1879: "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 abridged. This shall not prevent the passage of laws to punish those who carry weapons concealed."
Louisiana (as late as 1974): The right of each citizen to keep and bear arms shall not be abridged, but this provision shall not prevent the passage of laws to prohibit the carrying of weapons concealed on the person. (1974).
Mississippi: The right .. shall not be called in question, but the legislature may regulate or forbid carrying concealed weapons
Missouri: 1875: "That the right .. but nothing herein contained is intended to justify the practice of wearing concealed weapons
Montana: The right .. but nothing herein contained shall be held to permit the carrying of concealed weapons. (1889).
New Mex: 1912: "The people have the right to bear arms for their security and defense, but nothing herein shall be held to permit the carrying of concealed weapons."
NCarolina: 1868: "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; and, as... 1875: Same as 1868, but added "Nothing herein contained shall justify the practice of carrying concealed weapons, or prevent the Legislature from enacting penal statutes against said practice."
Oklahoma: The right .. but nothing herein contained shall prevent the Legislature from regulating the carrying of weapons. 1907
Texas: .. the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime.
Utah: 1896: .. the legislature may regulate the exercise of this right by law."
http://www2.law.ucla.edu/volokh/beararms/statecon.htm