Editor's Note: This weekend we resume posting columns. One of our favorite writers, Kirk Smith, has graciously agreed to help.
Welcome Back, Kirk!
Welcome Back, Kirk!
The Right to Keep and Bear Arms
by Kirk Smith
by Kirk Smith
On May 20, 2010 Mexican President Felipe Calderon addressing a joint session of Congress received a standing ovation from the Democrats after calling for the reinstatement of the assault weapons ban. Isn’t that wonderfully fantastic? A foreign president from a corrupt country, whose citizens violate our border and laws with impunity, demands that we give up on a GOD given “right to keep and bear arms.”
For those that are historically challenged, let us begin with 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, take the word Arms, as defined by the 1768 Military Dictionary (please note the 18th Century spelling):
“Arms are all sorts of weapons used in offence or defence; such as sword, hanger, espontoon, bayonet, firelock, carabine and pistol.”
Notice there is no reference to rifles and fowling pieces as they are not military Arms.
In the 18th century, the primary weapon of the American colonies was the .75 caliber smooth bore firelock (musket). At the time the firelock was the state of the art, rapid-fire weapon used by the British Army and the American militias.
The military strategy of that era was the use of Linear Tactics. Linear tactics had armies massing, shoulder to shoulder, and facing each other on the 18th century battlefield. Each opposing army would fire volleys, move closer, and fire volley after volley until the officer determines the opportune moment to conduct the final assault.
The firelock was the rapid fire weapon of the era and in the hands of a well trained soldier fired 3 – 5 times a minute. On the other hand, the more accurate rifle took anywhere from 1 ½ to 2 minutes to reload one round! Although the firelock was a rapid fire weapon, the smooth bore barrel made the firelock inaccurate. It was the volume of fire on the 18th century battlefield that made the firelock an effect weapon.
Once the commander determined the opposing force was effectively softened up, he would order “FIX BAYONETS!” Once the bayonet is affixed to the firelock, it becomes an ARM, and the orders from then on would refer to the firelock with bayonet as an ARM. And it is a very effective ARM in the final bayonet assault! Hence a “military style assault weapon” thoroughly demonize by corrupt leaders from south of our border and amongst our progressive comrades in Congress and the national information bureaus (ABC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, NPR, et al)!
