“Though defensive violence will always be 'a sad necessity' in the eyes of men of principle, it would be still more unfortunate if wrongdoers should dominate just men.”

And here we have the underlying thought that inspired the Second Amendment. And an obvious truth.

My reason for the 4 star rating instead of 5 was the hope for non-violent resolutions to the wrongdoers domination over just men. Understanding "Man is no less a slave because he is allowed to choose a new master once in a term of years" (Lysander Spoonner), it would still be favorable to free one's mind and entirety of being without violence.

Mike, the Lysander Spooner quote accurately describes our Congressional and Presidential elections.

Yes! Truly the foundation of our 2nd amendment in the Bill of Rights.

Defense against evil "wrongdoers" is ALWAYS a 'sad necessity'.

Semper Fidelis

Without resistance, what limit can be placed on the ambitions of 'designing men'? An 'inconvenient truth' indeed, but in a world of predator and prey, every creature must be able to defend itself. As 'civilized' as we strive to be, humankind is still a 'wild' animal species. We have survived and flourished from our hunter-gatherer nature -- it is still in our nature. But the temptation of collective power, the power of millions in the hands of one, cannot be ignored, nor should we permit such a seat of power to arise unchecked.