Re: GUNS: Defensive Use

Anton Sherwood (dasher@netcom.com)
Tue, 8 Jul 1997 23:12:25 -0700


: I've done little legislative history concerning the 2nd, but an educated
: guess would be that to get it ratified, the delegates made both of those
: arguments, and more. Hunting for meat and/or the skins trade was pretty
: important both economically and also for an individual's livelihood.

(there's a difference?)

: And self-defense has always been offered as a valid reason for weapons
: proliferation. Unfortunately, the Congress was secret and the only notes
: made were Madison's and Jefferson's (?) so we have a tough time knowing
: what they were really trying to do.

The Convention of 1787 was secret (and Madison took notes).
This is the first I've heard that the First Congress of 1789,
in which the Bill of Rights was drafted, was also secret.

Article One, Section Five, third paragraph:
Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from
time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in
their Judgement require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the
Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of
one fifth of the present, be entered on the Journal.

Is it recorded why the drafting of the Bill of Rights was so sensitive?

Anton Sherwood *\\* +1 415 267 0685 *\\* DASher@netcom.com