<p>We have alligator wranglers in Florida. If a nuisance alligator is around your place, they come out and grab 'em. I think they are private contractors with the state game and fish commission.</p>
<p>There is a view, and a significant one, that says the 2nd Amendment (which left the right to bear arms in a well-organized in the hands of the states) was vitiated by the 14th Amendment. </p>
<p>Well worth reading Cornell’s book for the legal history.</p>
<p>Is the book well written or too dry for a humanities person ?</p>
<p>I’M A HUMANITIES PERSON.</p>
<p>Some of it is closely argued, as it has to be, given the legal history. But I found it gripping, and I learned lots of things I never would have guessed at.</p>
<p>Having flipped through the first few pages of Cornell’s book I wonder what the response would be if a state decided to actually form and regulate a state militia - requiring all residents to register their weapons and appear for muster and inspection periodically - without compensation, of course. </p>
<p>I guess you’d have to have an opt-out option for those who were unable, unwilling, or just uninterested in bearing arms. Then the rest could demonstrate their loyalty to the sainted second amendment, eh?</p>
<p>Excellent. I’m getting the book.</p>
<p><a href=“CNN”>quote</a> – A recent search of the home of George Zimmerman’s girlfriend uncovered five weapons, including an AR-15, and more than 100 rounds of ammunition, court documents filed Monday show.
Zimmerman, acquitted in the death of Trayvon Martin this year, was arrested last week at the home, which he shares with his girlfriend, on suspicion of his having pointed a shotgun at her. He was released on bail and has entered a plea of not guilty.
A search of the home turned up three handguns, a 12-gauge shotgun, a rifle and 106 rounds of ammunition, including two AR-15 magazines, according to a search warrant.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>CNN story that just showed up in my news feed. Interesting. The good news is, if we needed a militia member to muster against some foreign enemy, Zimmerman would be all set.</p>
<p>Kluge, I may be quoting your excellent posts someday. Thank you.</p>
<p>“I guess you’d have to have an opt-out option for those who were unable, unwilling, or just uninterested in bearing arms. Then the rest could demonstrate their loyalty to the sainted second amendment, eh?”</p>
<p>In fact, that is in the legal history - whether to include the opt-out clause or not for Quakers. They understood the amendment to provide the legal basis for the states to muster their militia (including against federal incursions if necessary), but left the question of the opt out to the states themselves,</p>
<p>Although on first reading I really liked Kluge’s suggestion in post 265, upon further consideration I can’t support a militia. Just based on how the National Guard has sometimes been used in this country.</p>
<p>Thank you for the book recommendation, mini.</p>
<p>Well, alh, they don’t really need to march around and stuff. Just be “well regulated.” Who knows? Come the zombie apocalypse we may need all those George Z’s out there blowing away the stumbling menace, eh?</p>
<p>I’m totally prepared for zombies. I have guns and live in a farmhouse. I don’t need any help. :)</p>
<p>When we are living under the dome, it better be bullet-proof.</p>
<p>I don’t trust that they’ll be able to distinguish between a “stumbling menace” and an old lady crossing the street.</p>
<p>When we are living under the dome, I’d better be gone. </p>
<p>the zombie apocalypse is upon us, already. Haven’t you noticed?</p>
<p>Frugaldoctor mentioned the Cheshire, CT home invasion case from a few years ago. Although I have never owned guns and have rarely ever used them, I would gladly like to have target practice using an AR-15 assault rife with a couple of the 100-round magazines (the ones our govt would like to make illegal) with these two idiots.</p>
<p>I don’t own an assault rifle, but had a chance to shoot an AR-15 several years ago. I have to say that I understand why many people who shoot for target practice love this weapon. For those who find weapons abhorrent I understand you may never see the fun in target shooting. After a round or so of shooting the weapon, I didn’t want to put it down. The fear of Obama passing assault rifles ban doubled and tripled the prices of the AR-15. You know, price is the best form of gun control. Making an AR-15 223 illegal otherwise would be stupid. There are legal weapons that are more dangerous than the AR-15.</p>
<p>Just for the sake of accuracy, it was reported that the search at Zimmerman’s girlfriend’s house turned up 106 rounds of ammo and 2 AR-15 magazines…report didn’t say they were 100 round magazines. 106 cartridges is about 2 boxes of ammo, which is hardly a huge stash.</p>
<p>Oh, but frugaldoctor, I’d love to shoot an AR-15 as well. That doesn’t mean, though, that almost every individual should be allowed to own one. I get the thrill. I’ve shot bullets at a can and enjoyed aiming, pulling the trigger, and even the kick of the gun. I’d probably enjoy the opportunity to throw a grenade as well, maybe even fire a missile. There are a lot of weapons I’d get a thrill out of using that I don’t think should be legal to own.</p>
<p>I have no problem with someone keeping a gun in his/her home for self-protection. I chose not to allow my children to play in those homes, but I support that right. No one, though, needs to own a firearm that is capable of firing huge amounts of ammo without reloading. That kind of weapon is not a defensive weapon. It is designed to mow people down.</p>
<p>Similarly, I wouldn’t let my kids play in a home with a trampoline or a swimming pool because of the real safety concerns. Fortunately, I never said everyone should have access to an AR-15. Though it is frustrating to hear people who lack any knowledge about firearms discuss the dangers of semi-automatics, AR-15, etc. I hear people describing certain guns as automatics when they aren’t, or exaggerating the capabilities of these weapons. People have access to silencers, fortunately there are certain permit requirements for those. I see no problem in requiring law abiding citizens the same access to a semi-automatic AR-15 with the same permit requirements.</p>