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[ { THE SECOND AMENDMENT:: PRESERVING THE INALIENABLE RIGHT OF INDIVIDUAL SELF-PROTECTION [ THE SECOND AMENDMENT:: PRESERVING THE INALIENABLE RIGHT OF INDIVIDUAL SELF-PROTECTION ] BY BARTON, DAVID ( AUTHOR )FEB-01-2004 PAPERBACK } ] by Barton, David (A...
The Second Amendment has today become one of the most controversial parts of the Constitution. Gun opponents claim that "the right to keep and bear arms" is a right that belongs only to the police and military. However, the Founding Fathers who wrote the Second Amendment in 1789 disagreed. Read their words and examine their early laws and State constitutions on this subject. The conclusion is inescapable that the guarantees of the Second Amendment pertain to every citizen individually. Furthermore, learn of the Founders' timeless proposals made two centuries ago on how to deal with the gun violence that today shatters communities and causes the loss of innocent life.
Unknown Binding
First published June 26, 2000
66 people are currently reading
500 people want to read
About the author
David Barton
281Ìýbooks253ÌýfollowersDavid Barton is the Founder and President of WallBuilders, a national pro-family organization that presents America's forgotten history and heroes, with an emphasis on our moral, religious and constitutional heritage.
WallBuilders is a name taken from the Old Testament writings of Nehemiah, who led a grassroots movement to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and restore its strength and honor. In the same way, WallBuilders seeks to energize the grassroots today to become involved in strengthening their communities, states, and nation.
David is the author of numerous best-selling books, with the subjects being drawn largely from his massive library of tens of thousands of original writings from the Founding Era. He also addresses well over 400 groups each year.
His exhaustive research has rendered him an expert in historical and constitutional issues and he serves as a consultant to state and federal legislators, has participated in several cases at the Supreme Court, was involved in the development of the History/Social Studies standards for states such as Texas and California, and has helped produce history textbooks now used in schools across the nation.
WallBuilders is a name taken from the Old Testament writings of Nehemiah, who led a grassroots movement to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and restore its strength and honor. In the same way, WallBuilders seeks to energize the grassroots today to become involved in strengthening their communities, states, and nation.
David is the author of numerous best-selling books, with the subjects being drawn largely from his massive library of tens of thousands of original writings from the Founding Era. He also addresses well over 400 groups each year.
His exhaustive research has rendered him an expert in historical and constitutional issues and he serves as a consultant to state and federal legislators, has participated in several cases at the Supreme Court, was involved in the development of the History/Social Studies standards for states such as Texas and California, and has helped produce history textbooks now used in schools across the nation.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 2, 2018
This small pocket guide by David Barton is one of the best defenses of the Second Amendment you can get your hands on. Drawing from legal commentaries of both the colonies and the early Republic, to the views of the Founding Fathers, and from early legislative acts and from various state constitutions, Barton shows that the Second Amendment was designed for self-protection of the individual citizen, and that bearing arms is not for "hunting" or "just for the police and military" as those on the left like to claim.
July 17, 2012
David hits it out of the park again by destroying the liberal argument that the second amendment was never intended to be an individual right. Clearly the founding fathers expected (and sometimes demanded) that American citizens would be armed to protect themselves, their families, their property and their liberty. The evidence is massive and compelling. Over 40% of the book is footnotes. Anyone who doesn't believe law abiding citizens have the right to self protection is either ignorant or lying.
November 28, 2015
Per David Barton, "Four sources of information will be examined to determine the answer: (1) America's earliest legal documents, (2) the writings of the founding fathers, (3) early State laws and (4) State Constitutions."
The Second Amendment means what it says. The Founding Fathers (Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Madison, George Mason, etc.) all believe it is a natural right all peaceful persons have the right to own a firearm. Furthermore, no government ever has the right to remove this right from its citizens.
History does not lie! Amazing book!
The Second Amendment means what it says. The Founding Fathers (Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Madison, George Mason, etc.) all believe it is a natural right all peaceful persons have the right to own a firearm. Furthermore, no government ever has the right to remove this right from its citizens.
History does not lie! Amazing book!
October 26, 2018
This little booklet should be a must read for those who love God and Country. The 2nd Amendment is more than just owning a gun. It goes deeper than that. It is about personal responsibility, and knowing when and what you are fighting for. It is about self defense, and protecting those whom you love. We have a God given right and command, which is backed up by the Constitution to protect and defend our families, our towns and our Country. When God is taken out of the equation then nothing will stand strong for long. But when you have God and a Country that respects the rights of man, then nothing will destroy it. Look at our own history and Israels history, and you should feel a sense of pride that will warm your Spirit. For those who hate guns and those who choose not to have them, you should read this booklet as well. If you can open your mind to the things that appeal to you then I challenge you to read this booklet and try to understand its concept. PATRIOTISM IS NOT SOMETHING TO BE ASHAMED OF BUT TO BE CHERISHED.
January 21, 2019
A Most Concise Introduction to the Subject of Gun Rights with Conclusive Effect
After reading this exceptionally well-written survey, no one should dare claim that the government can or ought to regulate gun rights. No one in good conscience or their right mind could refute the wisdom that undergirds the Second Amendment, nor advocate gun control, once they understand the history behind the Second Amendment. This is a brilliant piece of scholarship, yet highly readable and is a must-read for all citizens, especially young people.
After reading this exceptionally well-written survey, no one should dare claim that the government can or ought to regulate gun rights. No one in good conscience or their right mind could refute the wisdom that undergirds the Second Amendment, nor advocate gun control, once they understand the history behind the Second Amendment. This is a brilliant piece of scholarship, yet highly readable and is a must-read for all citizens, especially young people.
March 10, 2018
In their own words
What I've always known but now know why. Why is there 2A? Was it as important to the Founders as what is claimed? A quick read loaded with direct sources provides the answers.
What I've always known but now know why. Why is there 2A? Was it as important to the Founders as what is claimed? A quick read loaded with direct sources provides the answers.
December 27, 2019
Another Good Book by David Barton
This short book provides excellent quotes from wise men, to include Benjamin Rush. Well written with original sources. Another treasure to my library from Wallbuilders.
This short book provides excellent quotes from wise men, to include Benjamin Rush. Well written with original sources. Another treasure to my library from Wallbuilders.
April 24, 2020
Was told this had a biblical defense for arms
This was not the case. There are two verses cited in the whole book. One is in Job. Part of his prayer to the Lord to take his life. The second is in Matthew about how murder starts in the heart.
This was not the case. There are two verses cited in the whole book. One is in Job. Part of his prayer to the Lord to take his life. The second is in Matthew about how murder starts in the heart.
June 21, 2020
Once again, David Barton has penned a well-written and thoroughly researched book, basing his arguments on primary source materials. Although it is a short work, it is packed with information that every American should read with an open mind.
June 18, 2022
A nice little introduction to what our Founding Fathers thought about the right to bare arms.
December 9, 2022
Really good, though I do wish he broke up the sections more, like with his 9tu3r books.
August 6, 2011
I had read David Barton's 'Original Intent' sometime ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I had picked this up because the arguments for/against 'gun rights' seemingly get lost on the argument of the 'gun' without delving into what the 2nd Amendment really encapsulates.
It is the logical extenion of our Declaration of Indepdence's - "Life, Liberty & pursuit of happieness. For, if you are unable to protect your life and liberty, how then are you to pursue happiness?
This is what you will realize more from this quick read.
In retrospect, this is more of a pamphlet in the spirit of Thomas Paine.
You will not come across a better researcher than David Barton. His writing style - barrage after barrage of quotes, commentaries and discussions - is quick and concise. Non-lawyers beware, I enjoy it for it is less on editorializing than it is submitting an irrefutable position based upon the underlying barrages.
Enjoy!
It is the logical extenion of our Declaration of Indepdence's - "Life, Liberty & pursuit of happieness. For, if you are unable to protect your life and liberty, how then are you to pursue happiness?
This is what you will realize more from this quick read.
In retrospect, this is more of a pamphlet in the spirit of Thomas Paine.
You will not come across a better researcher than David Barton. His writing style - barrage after barrage of quotes, commentaries and discussions - is quick and concise. Non-lawyers beware, I enjoy it for it is less on editorializing than it is submitting an irrefutable position based upon the underlying barrages.
Enjoy!
September 20, 2012
A good collection of primary sources but the conclusions were in the end not supported by evidence. He drew conclusions that didn't seem to tie to anything prior. At the end his main arguments are 1. People deserve guns, 2. guns = liberty, 3. The government has no right to diminish our liberty, 4. The courts should not be affecting laws (no judicial review) so all court-based gun decisions are unconstitutional, 5. We shouldn't be making laws about guns anyway because laws don't prevent violence, only religion and good gun training for young people decreases violence. Ummmm.....what? I don't agree with 4 or 5 so he sort of lost me.
May 22, 2013
With all the debates and madness going on surrounding the 2nd Amendment, I felt it imperative to school myself with the basics, specifically the questions I had about its invention and intention. The book elucidates the points of view of the framers, what a militia exactly is, what they're foresighted solutions are, and what they thought about future amendments to the concept. Others need to enlighten themselves as well, so that when we watch talk shows where people lose their minds on each other over this, you can more easily know who is right, wrong, or a lot or a little of both. Now that I'm primed with this information, I'll continue reading on the subject.
December 31, 2010
This book has great quotes regarding how the Framers of the Constitution actually thought (without the inaccurate socialist-progressive slant). The Framers clearly understood that the right to keep and bear arms was an individual right of a person to defend themselves from an overstepping government or intruder alike.
January 19, 2017
I don't understand why people can't seem to understand the Constitution, unless they choose not to. This should be required reading in school! But it never will be, so get this small book into the hands of your family. David Barton is a wonderful instructor!
wishlist
September 1, 2011I would like this in the Kindle Edition, which is available.
May 31, 2012
Explains the true meaning of the 2nd A
September 14, 2013
Take my advice, peek in, pick a statement, then go on line and find out the true facts and spend your time reading honest source material.
Don't give this author any shelf room
Don't give this author any shelf room
June 27, 2015
Required reading for every (or wanna be) American.
November 21, 2016
Me. Barton does a great job explaining the 2nd Amendment.
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