kfl@AI.AI.MIT.EDU (01/05/87)
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Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1986 10:40:03 EDT
From: oswald!jim@ll-xn.ARPA
Subject: Re: The 2nd Amendment
Many people claim that the second amendment provides the general
populace a constitutional right to keep and bear arms. This is
demonstrably false.
For many years, localities such as New York City have had laws
which abridge this putative right. Many people have been
convicted of violating these laws. During all this time, the
Supreme Court has never overturned such a conviction due to
conflict with the second amentment. If the Court really believed
that such a right existed, the NRA would have found a suitable
test case decades ago. The Court's silence speaks volumes.
What the anti-gun-control people really mean is that *they* (not
the Court) interpret the amendment to provide such a right.
Anyone can interpret the constitution, but only the Court's
interpretation really counts. By letting gun control laws stand,
the Court has decided that a general right to keep and bear arms
does not exist.
-- Jim Olsen
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Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2036 10:40:03 EDT
From: oswald!foolwell@ll-xn.ARPA
Subject: Re: The 1st Amendment
Many people claim that the first amendment provides the general
populace a constitutional right to say and write what they wish.
This is demonstrably false.
For many years, localities such as New Christ City have had laws
which abridge this putative right. Many people have been
convicted of violating these laws. During all this time, the
Supreme Court has never overturned such a conviction due to
conflict with the first amentment. If the Court really believed
that such a right existed, the ACLU would have found a suitable
test case decades ago. The Court's silence speaks volumes.
What the anti-book-control people really mean is that *they* (not
the Court) interpret the amendment to provide such a right.
Anyone can interpret the constitution, but only the Court's
interpretation really counts. By letting book control laws stand,
the Court has decided that a general right to write whatever one
wants does not exist.
-- Jarry Foolwell
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'nuff said.
...Keith
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