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Post the links to the definitions. Everyting that I have seen says quite the opposite, that "to bear" means only "to possess and carry". It is irrelevant as to whether or not use is "implied". I am talking about what is actually said, not what one can interpret. From what I see, the actual definition is "to possess and carry"... and this is also why Goobieman's counter argument is absurd. The actual definition of speech is the one I posted, therefore it applies.
Oh, Captain, my Captain... why must you do this, when you have to know it is neither a sensible nor logical nor supportable position?
Thomas Jefferson: "On every occasion...[of Constitutional interpretation] let us carry ourselves
back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates,
and instead of trying [to force] what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it,
[instead let us] conform to the probable one in which it was passed." (June 12 1823, Letter to
William Johnson)
Thomas Jefferson: "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." (T. Jefferson papers, 334, C.J. Boyd, Ed. 1950)
Thomas Jefferson: "Laws that forbid the carrying of arms...disarm only those who are neither inclined or determined to commit crimes. Such laws only make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assassins; they serve to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." (1764 Letter and speech from T. Jefferson quoting with approval an essay by Cesare Beccari)
John Adams: "Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion in private self defense." (A defense of the Constitution of the US)
George Washington: "Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the people's liberty teeth (and) keystone... the rifle and the pistol are equally indispensable... more than 99% of them by their silence indicate that they are in safe and sane hands. The very atmosphere of firearms everywhere restrains evil interference .When firearms go, all goes, we need them every hour." (Address to 1st session of Congress)
Your position is one where you are straining and stretching a point in an attempt to adopt a position contrary to the Founders' intent.... re-read the first Jefferson quote, this is not a valid position.