2A - Are there any liberals left?

Author: Conway

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Conway
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There's plenty of people like Senator Klobuchar who recognize the right to sit in a deer stand.  This thread is for finding out about proponents of the second amendment to the Constitution of the United States.  For these purposes, we'll assume the people who deliberated on the matter did not intend to codify some sort of loophole that could render the right to bear arms obsolete.  Lets see who has respect for the Constitution.  

Handgun access is implicitly shielded from states according to Heller vs DC 2A, 9A,14A --- Access to "weapons of war" with utility in civilian life is shielded explicitly from Congress

International Suggestions:  Self defense is a valid reason to keep small arms - - - Police are armed as common members of the civilian populace



#2
n8nrgmi
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the phrase "bear arms" during the founding  days, meant to have a gun in a militia. the beginning of the second amendment uses the phrase "a well regulated militia" 

the last part of the amendment is ambiguous. so what is a court to do? look at the evidence from the founding days. when we do that, there is absolutely no evidence that the founders wanted to protect anything other than militia rights. look at the constitutional convention. you can squint and look really hard, but there is no evidence of things like 'self defense' or hunting. 
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Conway
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@n8nrgmi
The good guys wanted to make sure the federal government could form a select body of members comprising the most powerful military force, and then reduce access to fighting implements for most of the civilian populous, except police and some employees of the state.  This one is for the bad guys.
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ILikePie5
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@n8nrgmi
the phrase "bear arms" during the founding  days, meant to have a gun in a militia. the beginning of the second amendment uses the phrase "a well regulated militia" 
A militia...with guns. Banning guns inherently prevents that.
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Greyparrot
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@ILikePie5
Back then you could mount a cannon to protect your boat.
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ILikePie5
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@Greyparrot
Back then you could mount a cannon to protect your boat.
Would’ve been so fun!
#7
fauxlaw
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Typically, we do a poor job of understanding
1. Definition
2. Syntax
3. That language is driven by culture, not the other way around. Meaning that interpretation, for the Constitution and at least the Bill of Rights [1 - 10A], must be read and interpreted from an 18th century syntax, not a 21st, but concluding that the same purposes of the 18th century might just still be shared in the 21st.

"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."

What is regulated, militia, necessity, security, and free state? What is a right, the people, keep, bear, arms, and infringed? Look these up in a dictionary that will give you 18th century meaning. The OED, unabridged, for example. Merriam-Webster won't cut it. Few dictionaries today will give you the complete etymology of every word in the lexicon. The OED does. That's why it occupies fully 20 volumes of definition, etc.

The pre-emptive phrase is conditional, but is not the only purpose of the concluding phrase, but was, at the time [1780s] critical to the populace. Do think, for example, that a "well-regulated militia" needed to have members with their own weapons [is an "arm" to be understood to be only a gun? - look it up - for the period - 1780s], and should those weapons be, themselves, "well-regulated," as in good working order such that they can be utilized at a moment's notice for whatever purpose?  For example  [from my OED]: 1766   J. Trusler Difference between Words I. 25   By arms, we understand those instruments of offence, generally, made use of in war; such as fire-arms, swords, &c.

If their arms are in good working order, can they be used for other pursuits, remembering that Safeway was a couple of centuries away? Or did the concept of "infringed" imply only that arms could be used only for purposes of a militia? It says, "not infringed," doesn't it?
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@ILikePie5
people who are in a militia can keep and bear arms. if you aren't in a milita, you dont have a second amendment right to a gun. (though i could see a ninth amendment right to a gun)
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ILikePie5
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@n8nrgmi
people who are in a militia can keep and bear arms. if you aren't in a milita, you dont have a second amendment right to a gun. (though i could see a ninth amendment right to a gun)
I’m in a militia with other gun owners. I challenge you to prove that I’m not. If you just want every single gun owner to join a militia just for name, just say so lol
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Conway
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@ILikePie5
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@Conway
Even better, thank you
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@ILikePie5
if states all brought back most people being in the milita, i wouldn't be opposed to protecting most people's right to a gun via the second amendment. as it sits now, though, states do not include most people in the milita. 
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@ILikePie5
states have always defined who is in the miltia. you are not defined as in the milita. why do you think there were and are laws that described who was and wasn't in the milita? 
#14
Imabench
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The 2nd Amendments primary purpose is to ensure that Americans have the right to defend themselves. During the Revolutionary War it was mainly militias that brought the most amount of fight to the British, not the army authorized and funded by Congress. Since the government created under the Articles of Confederation was also incredibly weak, the Founding Fathers at the time they were writing the Constitution were left with the HEAVY impression that Americans cannot rely on their government to keep them safe from foreign threats, since twice already it really dropped the ball and citizens had to take care of things with their own hands...... The evidence of this is indicated by how the 2nd amendment explicitly talks at the start about 'well regulated militias' rather than defense against tyranny or any mention of the words 'self defense' 

For that reason, the right to bear arms was written in a context more towards the idea of 'dont depend on the government to protect you', rather than answering the question we have been dealing with for a lot longer 'how much do citizens have the right to arm themselves?'. That question has been punted to states, while firearms themselves have evolved considerably over time as well, leading to the current fuckfest we have to deal with now  
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ILikePie5
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@n8nrgmi
if states all brought back most people being in the milita, i wouldn't be opposed to protecting most people's right to a gun via the second amendment. as it sits now, though, states do not include most people in the milita. 
They don’t have to. A militia doesn’t have to be formally recognized by the  govt. That’s the entire point lol.

states have always defined who is in the miltia. you are not defined as in the milita. why do you think there were and are laws that described who was and wasn't in the milita?
Huh? The Supreme Court has already ruled that Americans must have access to guns because they have the right to join a militia. You can’t say ban guns while also saying keep the 2nd Amendment. The two are intertwined lol. Plus I am a part of the militia per US Code so 🤷‍♂️.
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Conway
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@ILikePie5
Back then you could mount a cannon to protect your boat.
Would’ve been so fun!
There is no "would have" about your property.  State and local laws may still apply.



Handgun access is implicitly shielded from states according to Heller vs DC
Some people might notice that Washington DC is in federal jurisdiction. I rolled with it to convey a basic statement nicely on one line.

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@ILikePie5
i'm a conservative when it comes to the supreme court. what the founders originally meant is what should apply. in the original days, states or the government defined a militia.... there were no informal militias. you are proposing to find a right that isn't in the text of the amendment itself, and isn't how things were done originally. u r bein a whacky liberal. 
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ILikePie5
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@n8nrgmi
i'm a conservative when it comes to the supreme court. what the founders originally meant is what should apply. in the original days, states or the government defined a militia.... there were no informal militias. you are proposing to find a right that isn't in the text of the amendment itself, and isn't how things were done originally. u r bein a whacky liberal
It really doesn’t matter how you define a militia. Having guns and being in a militia are intertwined in the 2nd Amendment. If you ban guns, you’re inherently preventing someone from joining a militia because of the way it’s phrased.
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@Conway
Some people might notice that Washington DC is in federal jurisdiction. I rolled with it to convey a basic statement nicely on one line.
Chicago v McDonald incorporated DC v Heller to the states
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I think that some of you guys have lost sight of what "A Militia" actually is.

A militia isn't a private army that is separate to the State.
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@Conway
What's this from ?  No source was indicated.

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Conway
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@AddledBrain

§246. Militia: composition and classes
(a) The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.
(b) The classes of the militia are—
(1) the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the Naval Militia; and
(2) the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard or the Naval Militia.

This does not encompass all militia members.  States may designate forces which answer only to the governor.
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@ILikePie5
we the people, not we the militia, also a bit of research will show they have gatling guns, semi auto, multi barrelled and even full auto to a certain extent, none of those things prevented them from drafting the 2a and none of those things were excluded.

how does a militia own or purchase a gun of any kind?
precedence says it all as well, private ownership was common and the norm.

how anyone can believe infringement is for safety rather than manipulation and control is beyond me.
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@Conway

Conway, what is it you're referencing ?  What is the source document ?

18 days later

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@AddledBrain
A timeline of the militia is on page 2. 

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1607 - A formal militia is organizedin Virginia, the first Colony.  Naturalization was based more on loyalty throughout their lifetime in the 1600's.
 
1636 - The oldest serving guard unit in the United States is formalized in what would come to be Massachusetts, consisting in general of every able bodied freeman.
 
1689 - The English Bill of Rights ispassed
 
1773 - Boston Tea Party 
 
1775 - Shot heard round theworld.  "Don't tread on me".  American military leaders were eventually compelled to integrate all able bodied males into the Continental Army
 
  •     October - As the Congress have been at so much pains to buy Goods, to cloth the Army, and the Quarter Master General, at great trouble to collect, upon the best terms he can, such Articles as are wanting for this purpose, he is directed to reserve those goods for those brave Soldiers, who are determined to stand forth in defense of their Country another year; and that he may be able to distinguish these, from such as mean to quit the Service, at the end of their present engagement, he will be furnished with the Inlistments. Any person therefore (Negroes excepted, which the Congress do not incline to inlist again) coming with a proper Order and will subscribe the Inlistment, shall be immediately supplied.
  •     November - Neither Negroes, Boys unable to bare Arms, nor old men unfit to endure the fatigues of the campaign, are to be inlisted; The preferences being given to the present Army, The Officers are vigilantly to try, what number of men can be inlisted, in the Course of this week, and make report thereof to their Colonels, who will report it to the General
  •   December - As the General is informed, that Numbers of Free Negroes are desirous of inlisting, he gives leave to the recruiting Officers to entertain them, and promises to lay the matter before the Congress, who he doubts not will approve of it.  https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/mss/mgw/mgw3g/001/001.pdf
 
July 4, 1776 - Declaration of independence 
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world:  https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript  

1777 - The Articles of Confederation
No vessels of war shall be kept up in time of peace, by any state, except such number only, as shall be deemed necessary by the united states, in congress assembled, for the defense of such state, or its trade; nor shall any body of forces be kept up, by any state, in time of peace, except such number only as, in the judgment of the united states, in congress assembled, shall be deemed requisite to garrison the forts necessary for the defense of such state; but every state shall always keep up a well regulated and disciplined militia, sufficiently armed and accounted, and shall provide and constantly have ready for use, in public stores, a due number of field pieces and tents, and a proper quantity of arms, ammunition, and camp equipage.
 
1787 - Federalization of the Constitution
  • To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions
  • To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
1789 - George Washington becomes the first president of the United States.
 
1791 - The American Bill of Rights is Ratified
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.
 
1792 - The president is authorized to call fourth the militia from several states for two years.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That each and every free able-bodied white male citizen of the respective States, resident therein, who is or shall be of age of eighteen years, and under the age of forty-five years (except as is herein after excepted) shall severally and respectively be enrolled in the militia, by the Captain or Commanding Officer of the company, within whose bounds such citizen shall reside, and that within twelve months after the passing of this Act. 
 
1794 - George Washington successfully calls up the militia to suppress the Whiskey Rebellion
 
1795 - The president is authorized permanently in the Militia Act of 1795
 
1835 - Texas declares independence from Mexico "Come and take it"
 
1857 - Dred Scott vs Sanford, the Supreme Court rules that black people are not citizens of the United States
In this case, a majority of the court have said that a slave may be taken by his master into a Territory of the United States, the same as a horse, or any other kind of property. It is true, this was said by the court, as also many other things, which are of no authority. Nothing that has been said by them, which has not a direct bearing on the jurisdiction of the court, against which they decided, can be considered as authority. I shall certainly not regard it as such. The question of jurisdiction, being before the court, was decided by them authoritatively, but nothing beyond that question. A slave is not a mere chattel. He bears the impress of his Maker, and is amenable to the laws of God and man; and he is destined to an endless existence.
-John McLean

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Conway
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1861 - The militia of South Carolina seizes Fort Sumter.  
 
1862 - The Militia Act of 1795 is amended
An Act to amend the Act calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections, and repel Invasions, approved February twenty-eight, seventeen hundred and ninety-five, and the Acts amendatory thereof, and for other Purposes.
. . . .
SEC. 12. And be it further enacted, That the President be, and he is here by, authorized to receive into the service of the United States, for the purpose of constructing intrenchments, or performing camp service or any other labor, or any military or naval service for which they may be found competent, persons of African descent, and such persons shall be enrolled and organized under such regulations, not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws, as the President may prescribe.
SEC. 13. And be it further enacted, That when any man or boy of African descent, who by the laws of any State shall owe service or labor to any person who, during the present rebellion, has levied war or has borne arms against the United States, or adhered to their enemies by giving them aid and comfort, shall render any such service as is provided for in this act, he, his mother and his wife and children, shall forever thereafter be free, any law, usage, or custom whatsoever to the contrary notwithstanding: Provided, That the mother, wife and children of such man or boy of African descent shall not be made free by the operation of this act except where such mother, wife or children owe service or labor to some person who, during the present rebellion, has borne arms against the United States or adhered to their enemies by giving them aid and comfort.
SEC. 14. And be it further enacted, That the expenses incurred to carry this act into effect shall be paid out of the general appropriation for the army and volunteers.
SEC. 15. And be it further enacted, That all persons who have been or shall be hereafter enrolled in the service of the United States under this act shall receive the pay and rations now allowed by law to soldiers, according to their respective grades: Provided, That persons of African descent, who under this law shall be employed, shall receive ten dollars per month and one ration, three dollars of which monthly pay may be in clothing.. . . . 

1865 - The army of Northern Virginia surrenders.  Traditional militias of the South are disbanded and restructured into a system of loyal volunteers and unorganized state militia.  https://www.nps.gov/apco/learn/education/surrender-documents.htm
  Rolls of all the officers and men to be made in duplicate one copy to be given to an officer designated by me, the other to be retained by such officer or officers as you may designate.  The officers to give their individual paroles not to take up arms against the Government of the United States until properly exchanged and each company or regimental commander sign a like parole for the men of their commands.
  The arms, artillery, and public property are to be parked and stacked and turned over to the officer appointed by me to receive them. This will not embrace the side arms of the officers, nor their private horses or baggage.  This done officers and man will be allowed to return to their homes not to be disturbed by United States authority so long as they observe their parole and the laws in force where they may reside.  

Very respectfully,
U.S. Grant, Lieutenant-General.
 ______
 
I have received your letter of this date containing the terms of surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia as proposed by you. As they are substantially the same as those expressed in your letter of the 8th instant, they are accepted. I will proceed to designate the proper officers to carry the stipulations into effect.
 
Your obedient servant,
R.E. Lee, General
 
GENERAL ORDER
 After four years of arduous service marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources.  I need not tell the brave survivors of so many hard fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to this result from no distrust of them.
But feeling that valor and devotion could accomplish nothing that would compensate for the loss that must have attended the continuance of the contest, I determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen.
By the terms of the agreement officers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed, and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you His blessing and protection.
With an increasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous considerations for myself, I bid you all an affectionate farewell.

R.E. Lee
Genl.  

1866 - Original Civil Rights Act - Every man now recognized as a citizen by the federal government, is entitled to equal protection of property and equal benefit of the law.
 
It provides for the equality of citizens of the United States in the enjoyment of "civil rights and immunities." What do these terms mean? Do they mean that in all things civil, social, political, all citizens, without distinction of race or color, shall be equal? By no means can they be so construed. Do they mean that all citizens shall vote in the several States? No; for suffrage is a political right which has been left under the control of the several States, subject to the action of Congress only when it becomes necessary to enforce the guarantee of a republican form of government (protection against a monarchy). Nor do they mean that all citizens shall sit on the juries, or that their children shall attend the same schools. The definition given to the term "civil rights" in Bouvier's Law Dictionary is very concise, and is supported by the best authority. It is this: "Civil rights are those which have no relation to the establishment, support, or management of government."
 
1868 - The 14th amendment is ratified.  Freedmen partake in citizenship, and proudly keep and bear arms for militia duty.  Paramilitary groups form in opposition.
 
1870 - The 15th amendment is ratified to further secure the right to vote.  Thousands of men were assaulted, intimated, and killed over who could vote and who counted the votes.
 
1871 - Enforcement Acts provided protections for the right to vote among other things, and hopefully enabled the federal government to pursue vigilante groups like the Klu Klux Klan
 
 
1876 - Cruikshank v US concluded that rights to assembly and to bear arms are acknowledged in the Constitution, not dependent upon it.
 
- Within the scope of its powers, as enumerated and defined, it [the government of the United States] is supreme and above the States; but beyond, it has no existence. It was erected for special purposes, and endowed with all the powers necessary for its own preservation and the accomplishment of the ends its people had in view. It can neither grant nor secure to its citizens any right or privilege not expressly or by implication placed under its jurisdiction.
 - This is not a right granted by the Constitution. Neither is it in any manner dependent upon that instrument for its existence. The second amendment declares that it shall not be infringed, but this, as has been seen, means no more than that it shall not be infringed by Congress.
 
As such, the responsibility to protect these rights is assumed in other jurisdictions.

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Conway
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1898 - A shift in foreign policy starts to take place around the time of the Spanish-American war.  Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico are annexed.
 
1900's - The Supreme Court begins the lengthy process of incorporating the Bill of Rights into state jurisdiction.
 
1903 - The Dick Act formalizes the National Guard, and the Civilian Marksmanship Program is established to enable the unorganized militia.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the militia shall consist omission of. of every able-bodied male citizen of the respective States, Territories, and the District of Columbia, and every able-bodied male of foreign birth who has declared his intention to become a citizen, who is more than eighteen and less than forty-five years of age, and shall be divided into two classes-the organized militia, to be known as the National National Guard. Guard of the State, Territory, or District of Columbia, or by such other designations as may be given them by the laws of the respective States or Territories, and the remainder to be known as the Reserve Militia. .https://www.loc.gov/law/help/statutes-at-large/57th-congress/session-2/c57s2ch196.pdf
 
Rifle ranges also are needed, not only for the National Guard, but also for the citizen population. To shoot well is a large part of the education of the soldier ; and if the Government can arouse such an interest in shooting, in not only the organized but also the unorganized militia, that our male population shall be familiar with the accurate use of the rifle, we shall have gone far towards evening up the advantage the foreigner gains by his universal conscription. Much can be accomplished in this direction, if the United States will offer free the use of the military rifle on ranges to be established near our large towns. Such ranges would also be available for the instruction of the National Guard. Their cost would be little in comparison with the benefits to be obtained. The cost of sufficient target ranges and camp sites for the whole country will hardly exceed that of one or two new battle-ships.
 - Lieutenant Colonel James Parker  

1916 - While the US maintains neutrality during WWI, Congress passes the National Defense Act
SEC. 57 . COMPOSITION OF THE MILITIA.-The militia of the United States shall consist of all able-bodied male citizens of the United States and all other able-bodied males who have or shall have declared their intention to become citizens of the United States, who shall be more than eighteen years of age and, except as hereinafter provided, not more than forty-five years of age, and said militia shall be divided into three classes, the National Guard, the Naval Militia, and the Unorganized Militia
 
1920 - 19th amendment provides women all over the United States with the right to vote.
 
1924 - Indian Citizenship Act
 
1934 - National Firearms Act, the first federal regulation to effect the transfer of arms, places a 200 dollar tax on certain transactions.
 
December 7, 1941
 
1946 - Battle of Athens - To secure the election from a corrupt political machine, veterans broke into the armory and fought as necessary for the surrender of ballots in a heavily guarded jail.  "If democracy was good enough to put on the Germans and the Japs, it was good enough for McMinn County too!"  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Trc0b1v8RtY
 
1947 - The Air National Guard is established
 
1948 - Women may volunteer for every branch of the armed services.  Harry Truman desegregates the armed forces by executive order for the first time since the Revolutionary war.
 
1956 - Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. applies for a permit to carry after his house is bombed with his wife and child at home.  He was denied by police.
“I want you to love our enemies; Be good to them, love them, and let them know you love them.” 
 
1957 - Civil Rights Act is passed
 
1958 - The National Defense Act is amended
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled that section 57 of the Act of June 3, 1916, as amended (32 U. S. C. 1), is further amended by inserting after the words "forty-five years of age," the words "and of female citizens of the United States who are appointed as commissioned officers of the National Guard under section 58 of this Act". https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-70/pdf/STATUTE-70-Pg729.pdf
 
1967 - California legislature introduces the Mulford Act to disarm the radical Black Panther Party for Self Defense, inspiring the modern civil rights protest to bear arms.  Live
"There is absolutely no reason why out on the street today, a civilian should be carrying a loaded weapon" - Governor Ronald Reagan
 
1968 - Civil Rights Act enables equal access to services for every American citizen
 
1969 - Fred Hampton was ambushed in his sleep and murdered by police in Chicago.  90 rounds were fired into the apartment.
 
1970's - National Rifle Association is partially reoriented to a civil rights organization - Opposition generally surrounded handguns up till this time, and carry in urbanizing states.
 
1981 - Ronald Reagan gets hit with an explosive "devastator" round out of a cheap "Saturday night special" as he stood by James Brady.
 
1984 - An impractical pistol known as the Tec-9 is produced and advertised through contentious marketing practices with an attachable "assault grip".  Political figures called it a "military style assault weapon", a term they associated with the 'spray and pray' philosophy of poorly aimed rapid fire from the hip.
"The only use for assault weapons is to shoot people," Agnos told the Assembly Public Safety Committee in June 1985. San Jose Police Chief Joseph McNamara concurred. "These are weapons of war," he said. "They are made to kill people, and they are all over California. There is no legitimate use for these.  Nobody hunts deer with them." 
 
1986 - Firearm Owner Protection Act
 
1987 - Tear down this wall
 
1989 - We didn't start the fire
 
1991 - The Soviet Union has collapsed, in some ways leaving the U.S. with more military involvement than the rest of the world combined.
 
1993 - The Branch Davidian raid and the resulting siege inspires general distrust and "militia" movements, some of which are legally questionable
 
1994 - Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act consolidates the industry for "assault weapons" to government employees.  
 
September 11, 2001 
 
September 18, 2001 to present: Congress authorizes the invasion of Afghanistan.  
 
2004 - AWB expires - Many Americans see practicality in modular firearms and detachable magazines become increasingly popular in the post 9/11 market for defense
 
2011 - Osama Bin Laden had a bad day.  Meanwhile, Americans are learning about operation Fast and Furious.
 
2013 - The president signs the ATT and prohibits reimportation of military surplus, undermining the Civilian Marksmanship Program, which has been privatized
 
 
2016 - The president restores the previously brokered agreement for the CMP, and withdraws the United States from the Arms Trade Treaty, which was never ratified.