The South did not have a right to rebel against "perceived tyranny"; we have a First Amendment.
And,
Only well regulated militias of the United States may not be Infringed when keeping and bearing Arms for their State or the Union.
People always have a Right to rebel against tyranny.
"
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." (an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence)
No, you don't. You have to exhaust all legals means, not take "matters into your own hands".
The militia exists to protect Government.
You have to exhaust all nonviolent legal and political avenues of redress before resorting to extraordinary actions. But, a free people are
never required to submit to a yoke of tyranny.
THAT is one of the foundational principles upon which this Republic was founded.
Why does the militia exist? Who should I rely on? Founding fathers who participated in articulating the Right
OR danielpalos?
"
The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that … it is their right and duty to be at all times armed; … "
Thomas Jefferson letter to Justice John Cartwright, June 5, 1824
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To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.”
Richard Henry Lee American Statesman, 1788
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The militia, who are in fact the effective part of the people at large, will render many troops quite unnecessary. They will form a powerful check upon the regular troops, and will generally be sufficient to over-awe them.” —
Tench Coxe, An American Citizen, Oct. 21, 1787
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As the military forces which must occasionally be raised to defend our country, might pervert their power to the injury of their fellow citizens, the people are confirmed by the next article (of amendment) in their right to keep and bear their private arms.”
Tench Coxe — Federal Gazette, June 18, 1789
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Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretence, raised in the United States. A military force, at the command of Congress, can execute no laws, but such as the people perceive to be just and constitutional; for they will possess the power.”
Noah Webster — An Examination of The Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution, Philadelphia, 1787
“[
I]f circumstances should at any time oblige the government to form an army of any magnitude, that army can never be formidable to the liberties of the people while there is a large body of citizens, little if at all inferior to them in discipline and the use of arms, who stand ready to defend their rights and those of their fellow citizens.” Alexander Hamilton— The Federalist, No. 29
“
What, sir, is the use of militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty. . . Whenever Government means to invade the rights and liberties of the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order to raise a standing army upon its ruins.” —
Elbridge Gerry Debate, U.S. House of Representatives, August 17, 1789
