In a bill signed by John Hancock, its president, and dated April 3, 1776, the Continental Congress issued, “INSTRUCTIONS to the COMMANDERS of Private Ships or vessels of War, which shall have Commissions of Letters of Marque and Reprisal, authorizing them to make Captures of British Vessels and Cargoes.”
Well so much for any false argument that the founders never meant for private citizens to own and operate crew served weapons. They cloaked privately owned naval Men of War in legitimacy. Doesn't get much crewier than that.
ReplyDeleteI have often wondered if the "Letters of Marque and Reprisal" could have been used against Al Qaeda instead of waging war.
ReplyDeleteDon't suggest that, Crotalus--Ron Paul did and was laughed at--by smarter people than us--or at least ones who act like they are.
ReplyDeleteHmmm vessels of war....
ReplyDeleteCould an AC130 be considered a vessel of war? It is already called a "gunship". What about a B-52, F-4, A-10 etc...? Tanks, APCs etc... would they be covered also?
Yes, I know the sheeple scream for dhimmitude, but us lesser evolved beings just do not like chains and slavery.
I think the passage pretty well makes it clear that private citizens were expected to own all the implements of war.
ReplyDeleteSA,
ReplyDeleteYeah, I know which is one of the things that gets me when people start bemoaning that the founders didn't mean that PEOPLE could own NUKES!! Oh noes. OTOH they stare at me blankly when I ask if they know anyone who could afford to build a place to store a nuke, much less then afford to purchase said nuke as well as the insurance necessary since most of his neighbors would probably buy geiger counters.