INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
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“Persons” versus “The People”
Will we need a constitutional amendment for
individuals to retain gun ownership?
By Stuart Hale Shakman; posted
In isolation (as in the 2nd Amendment, without the context of the other 9 Amendments consummated simultaneously and collectively known as the Bill of Rights), the term referred to as “the people” might be interpreted to refer to individual persons. This indeed is the dominant interpretation generally given, when considering the intent of the Second Amendment relative to the possession of firearms by the individual.
However, in surveying the Bill of Rights, it is noted
(1) Regarding “people” versus “persons”
(a) the word “people” appears 5 times, in Amendments 1. 2, 4, 9, and 10;
(b) the word “person” or “persons” appears 4 times, twice in Amendment 4 (person) and twice in Amendment 5 (persons)
(c) reference to individual persons by other names is found in Amendment 2 (“Soldier”, “Owner”); and Amendment 6 (“the accused”); and
(2) Of greatest interest in this discussion, in the 4th Amendment, a clear distinction is drawn between “the people” and “persons”. The clause “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses …” seems to clearly indicate the collective nature of “the people” versus the individual nature of “persons”.
Thus it would appear that the two terms, “Persons” and “People” are indeed not interchangeable, as “gun rights” advocates would have us believe.
Accordingly, it is possible, in order for gun rights advocates to secure their “right” to their weapons in the future, adjustments in either the second or fourth amendments, or both, will be needed, in the event that a “liberal” Supreme Court majority someday assumes control of the court.
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Amendment I
Congress shall
make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the
right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a
redress of grievances.
A well
regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a
No Soldier shall,
in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner,
nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
The right of
the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against
unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants
shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and
particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to
be seized.
No person
shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a
presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land
or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or
public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice
put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to
be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property,
without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use,
without just compensation.
In all
criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public
trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall
have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by
law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be
confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for
obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his
defence.
In Suits at
common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the
right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall
be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the
Excessive bail
shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishments inflicted.
The enumeration
in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or
disparage others retained by the people.
The powers not
delegated to the
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