Lawyer Explains How a DEAD English Attorney Could Save YOUR 2nd Amendment Rights

Published on October 9, 2021
Duration: 5:56

This video explains the historical significance of William Blackstone's 'Commentaries on the Laws of England' for understanding the Second Amendment. It highlights that Blackstone's work, widely read by the Founding Fathers, supports the interpretation of the Second Amendment as protecting an individual right to self-defense and the right to keep and bear commonly owned arms.

Quick Summary

William Blackstone's 'Commentaries on the Laws of England' is vital for understanding the Second Amendment, as it was a primary source for the Founding Fathers. His work supports the interpretation of an individual right to self-defense and the protection of commonly owned arms, reflecting the historical context of English law.

Chapters

  1. 00:01Introduction to William Blackstone
  2. 00:45Supreme Court's Approach to 2nd Amendment
  3. 01:09Blackstone's Commentaries Explained
  4. 01:22Who Was William Blackstone?
  5. 01:41Content of Blackstone's Commentaries
  6. 02:06Founding Fathers' Reliance on Blackstone
  7. 03:00Blackstone and the Second Amendment
  8. 03:06Individual Right to Self-Defense
  9. 03:15English Right to Arms (1689)
  10. 03:58Commonly Owned Arms
  11. 04:14Dangerous and Unusual Weapons
  12. 04:40Modern Common Arms
  13. 05:01Conclusion and Takeaways

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of William Blackstone's 'Commentaries' for the Second Amendment?

William Blackstone's 'Commentaries on the Laws of England,' a text widely read by the Founding Fathers, is significant because it helps interpret the Second Amendment. It supports the understanding of an individual right to self-defense and the protection of commonly owned arms, reflecting the historical context of English law at the time of the amendment's adoption.

How did Blackstone describe the English right to arms?

William Blackstone described the English right to arms, as guaranteed in the 1689 Declaration of Rights, as protecting the natural right of resistance and self-preservation. He specifically noted it as the right of having and using arms for self-preservation and individual defense.

Does the Second Amendment protect all types of weapons, according to Blackstone's interpretation?

Based on Blackstone's writings, the Second Amendment protects commonly owned arms used for lawful purposes. He distinguished this from 'dangerous and unusual weapons,' implying that weapons in common use by the populace, such as modern pistols and rifles, are protected.

Why is historical legal interpretation important for the Second Amendment?

The Supreme Court holds that understanding the Second Amendment today requires looking at how its adopters in 1791 understood it. Historical legal texts like Blackstone's 'Commentaries' provide crucial insights into this original understanding, guiding contemporary legal debates.

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