What the Framers Intended: A Linguistic Analysis of the Right to "Bear Arms"

Copyright (c) 1986 by Law and Contemporary Problems. J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1978; Ph.D. (Philosophy), Florida State University, 1972. A practicing attorney with offices in Fairfax, Virginia, the author is a member of the bars of Virginia, the District of Columbia, and various federal courts. 1 R. FROTHINGHAM, HISTORY OF THE SIEGE OF BOSTON 95 (6th ed. 1903). 2 The Declaration, passed on July 6, 1775, is reprinted, among other places, in Connecticut Courant, July 17, 1775, at 2 (quote taken from col. 3). 3 Id. at 4, col. 1. 4 Kates, Handgun prohibition and the original meaning of the Second Amendment, 82 MICH. L. REV. 204, 267 (1983). [Copyright © 1986 Law & Contemporary Problems. Originally published as 49 LAW & CONTEMP. PROBS. 151-162 (1986). For educational use only. The printed edition remains canonical. For citational use please obtain a back issue from William S. Hein & Co., 1285 Main Street, Buffalo, New York 14209; 716-882-2600 or 800-828-7571. Dr. Halbrook is the author of THAT EVERY MAN BE ARMED: THE EVOLUTION OF A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT which may be obtained from www.amazon.com.]