Crazy Horse:
The majority of the Southern delegates who signed the Constitution were s***e owners! Others were wealthy merchants and statesmen. History also suggests that some of our Founding Fathers owned s***es. They were educated and scholarly men who were given a difficult task of creating a government. They needed to ratify a Constitution; therefore the debate as to whether s***es were men or property had to wait!
Article I, Section. 2 [S***es count as 3/5 persons]
Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons [i.e., s***es].
The Constitution that the delegates proposed included several provisions that explicitly recognized and protected s***ery. Without these provisions, southern delegates would not support the new Constitution–and without the southern states on board, the Constitution had no chance of being ratified.
Provisions allowed southern states to count s***es as 3/5 persons for purposes of apportionment in Congress (even though the s***es could not, of course, v**e), expressly denied to Congress the power to prohibit importation of new s***es until 1808, and prevented free states from enacting laws protecting fugitive s***es.
http://wiseconservatism.com/2011/01/06/35th-clause-in-the-constitution-what-is-it-and-why-was-it-put-in/
The Founding Fathers wanted to create a new government with a fair and equal form of representation therefore they established a Congress consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives. Since most of the colonies had this type of state government they agree with that type of Congress. Therefore there was some room for compromise.
The term Republic is given to our representative government. But the power of the government rests in the governed” We have the privilege and the right to v**e. Therefore; many Americans consider themselves as members of a Democracy because we have the right to v**e. “One man; one v**e”

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

We must also understand that you are either a lose constructionist or a strict constructionist. I strongly believe that the Constitution is a “flexible” living document that has to grow and adapt to the needs of a growing multi-cultural diversified society. See the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.
You mentioned that the Founding Fathers originally implemented the 2nd Amendment into the Constitution. I beg to differ! The Constitution could not be ratified by the colonies because they were fearful that the government would be too powerful an intrusive upon individual rights therefore the Second Amendment was a “compromise” to meet the colonies’ standards for ratification.
During the debates on the adoption of the Constitution, its opponents repeatedly charged that the Constitution as drafted would open the way to tyranny by the central government. Fresh in their minds was the memory of the British violation of civil rights before and during the Revolution. They demanded a "bill of rights" that would spell out the immunities of individual citizens.
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights.html

I believe that the 10th Amendment which some called “Popular Sovereignty” allowed a state to self-govern itself just as long as it didn’t encroach upon the jurisdiction of the Federal government or violate the Constitution itself. Although you may consider the 2nd Amendment to the included “de facto” into the original Constitution it was inserted into the Bill of Rights after the Constitution was written and debated upon by the delegates and the people. The original Constitution only gave a state the right to implement its own v****g and e******n policies. History has proven that that was a bad idea! (V**er’s Rights Act, V**er Suppression, Bush vs. Gore 2000)
See Section. 4.
The Times, Places and Manner of holding E******ns for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of choosing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

Barcruz: You must understand that the orginal Constitution was written for wealthy land owners and those who who had "influencial titles". What does this have to do with gun owners and the 2nd Amendment? Well, African-Americans and various minorities were left out! Therefore; many "patriots" interpreted the Constitution through "prejudicial" eyes! I agree that our country was "weak" in that we had just ended a Revolutionary War. Also the Articles of Confederation was "grossly" inadequate in that it could not be enforced! The Constitutional Congress could not even pay the Army! Rumor has it that they were nearly run out of town! We didn't have an adequate central government that could "oversee" the rebuilding of the country. Everyone had their own economy, their own m*****as, and their own currencies. The Federal government has to maintain a balance of power with the states. That is the danger of having states establish their own rules. Remember the Civil War and popular sovereignity? In the midst of the evolution of Democracy; the 2nd Amendment was written. What I'm trying to express is that people began to interpret the Constitution for their own agendas. Politicians modified the Constitution to allow "w****s" only to v**e. It took nearly one hundred years before women and b****s were allowe to v**e. It took longer for a "black" president to be allowed to even be placed on the b****t! So, don't expect gun owners to relish the idea of giving up the power, authority, and security that a gun provides. It's a love affair that America has for firearms! A physical representation of American patriotism. Even young black men seem mesmerized with the fact of having a gun; legal or illegal! There has to be some restrictions on ownership but they vehemently oppose anyone who even considers background checks. It will take time before we can convince they that its for the public good and welfare of those of us who don't own guns to safely walk the streets!

Barcruz: I'm not an expert on th Constitution; but I have taught Social Studies, served as a vet, and have seen the gun law from both perspectives. In my opinion; the 2nd Amendment was written to given citizens the right to protect themselves against criminals, anachists, criminal elements of established governement, and civil unrest! When we take up the oath of service we promise to defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. A gun owner has that right entrusted to him by the Constitution. In the event of civil unrest or r**tious violence. The gun owners is sanctioned by "natural authority", the Constitution, and the Founding Fathers to defend "native" soil! That's why the Second Amendment can't be amened! It's an anti-tyranny clause to enforce "checks an balances". We Democrats understand the law but are afraid of correctly interpret the law. But that's another "can of worms" I dare not open!! (Smile) So the intent of the law was to protect life, liberty, Democracy, the American way of life, and innocent blood. Oh my God I sound like a Republican!! But that's the t***h! There is an unwritten law that states; " A man's home is his castle" You have the right to defend and repel any force that threatens your family or your life. It is a God given natural law of survival. Nuff Said!

Sorry Crazyhorse for the misunderstanding. That will never happen! Isn't it ironic that the criminals can get a gun but law abiding citizens can not get them? There's a clammer concerning comprehensive background checks on everyone but you realize that someone will try to use the data to determine who deserves to own a gun! The solution is to focus on criminals who are repeat offenders, enforce the curfew laws, and implement gun-safety and safety awareness.

Gentlemen: As an Afro-American vet let me assure you that the President had to address the Zimmerman case to calm the fears and frustrations of Black America. Yes, we live in a Democracy but many minorities feel disenfrancised by the moral majority and the "new" Republicans. Many B****s believe that the "new" Republicans refuse to moderate or compromise on their radical agendas. I understand your concern about our present president but the presidency is an institution not a "person of color". We all have disagreements with him; I firmly believe that the "ask but don't tell policy should have remained intact and I'm opposed to "same sex marriages. You can't legislate an immoral lifestyle and call it "unconstitutional" when it violates my personal religious convictions and principles! Impeachment? Do we really want to put America through that again? Yes; there are legitimate questions that have to be asked but let's consider the sources of the accusations. Congress; Mass Media, and political "demigods" At one time B****s were proud members of the Republican Party even during the MLK era. However; the GOP began to place their personal priviledges above e******y and fairness. I'm from the "old school" you earn the priviledge of being an American. My mother and I never believed in affirmative action. Historical Black Colleges were created to give b****s a quality education not provide basketball players for the NBA! Therefore if you want to impeach the president; you must face an already racially polarized e*****rate, Nancy Pelosi, Biden, affluent Black Congressmen, Senators, and United Nations! RSVP if you disagree.

Unclet: Unfortunately; I can see the hanwriting on the wall. When I was a kid you wouldn't dare ask for money from a stranger! It's a struggle for many B****s to strive for e******y when people keep asking for government handouts! I know I sound like the Republicans (lol) But, when are we going to hold people accountable for their own actions? People are afraid. Everyday I see healthy black men h*****g on the corner, refusing to go to school, displayed on tv for a crime, or not looking for jobs. My grandmother used to say " You may not get the job that you want but there's always work to be done. Suddenly, people feel that they're too good to work for a living! Therefore, you are not going to stop people from carrying guns for their own protection. You have to earn the title of American citizen not wait for someone to give it to you!

Crazyhorse! The Constitution does not have to be amended. Besides that would led the US Governement the luxury of implementing "martial law"! The 2nd Amendment is an anti-governemental clause written by our forefathers.It is a checks and balances clause; It causes the government to pause before they even think about "trying to confiscate guns." This is what happened in Bosnia; the former Yugoslovian government convinced the civilian authorities that since the hostilities were over that they didn't need their weapons. You know what happened next? Mass murders, atrocities, and ethnic cleansing. If we allow states to designate gun-jurisdiction zones where there are limited or no LEO (Law Enforcement Officers) then I would agree with a open-display gun law. In gun-restricted zones only those individuals who are licensed and trained should carry a concealed gun. The problem in Philadelphia are straw-purchases and the easy access of obtaining guns for drug dealers. Remember, we have three states to deal with NJ, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. I won't even think about telling the Good Ole Boys up North to stop hunting. It's a way of life for many Americans.

Not all B****s condone the "hip-hop" thug "N" mentality that many young black men display in public. I'm am Afro-American who has served my country, graduated from college, and strive to inform young men and women to strive to be productive members of society. Unfortunately, I'm in the minority. It's easier to blame somebody'else. Sure its difficult being a true American but nothing is free. The Second Amendment was written for responsible men who were given the authority to defend their country. However, with each right there are some who would abuse their authority and leadership ability. Not everyone has the discipline to train and own a gun because with "great power comes great responsibility". Sorry I stole it from Spiderman; but it's true! Ask your vets and Law Enforcement Officers. So we have to teach young men and women to respect all authority. I beleive that if b****s would respect their elders they woul have all problems. Remember, respect is a two-way street! If you give respect you'll get respect.

Interesting Crazyhorse. I think that the right to bear arms also comes with the responsibility of being knowledgable about gun safety. I have several friends who own guns but unlike the general public they train at the range and use their "guns" strictly for defense. We must also understand that many communities do not have adequate police protection. They are the first line of defense against criminals. Therefore we must balance the right to bear arms with the risk of total anarchy and mob control.