In response to 'Take a look at Second Amendment' by Paula S. Felder

Would highly suggest that Paula have a look at Federalist #10, as well as Federalist #28. She has obviously misconstrued the INTENTIONS of the Framers of our Constitution. She isn't alone in the misconception, (or flagrant disregard).
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Allow me, if you will, to present the FACTS;
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" In a single state, if the persons intrusted with supreme power become usurpers, the different parcels, subdivisions, or districts of which it consists, having no distinct government in each, can take no regular measures for defense. The citizens must rush tumultuously to arms, (Notice the use of the word CITIZENS - NOT MILITIA!) without concert, without system, without resource; except in their courage and despair. The usurpers, clothed with the forms of legal authority, can too often crush the opposition in embryo."
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- Alexander Hamilton, Federalist #28
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In addition, she asserted that the states have 'powers'. In this, she is incorrect as well;
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"Men of factious tempers, of local prejudices, or of sinister designs, may, by intrigue, by corruption, or by other means, first obtain the suffrages, and then betray the interests, of the people....The question resulting is...to the election of proper guardians of the public weal.....A republic...opens a different prospect, and promises the cure for which we are seeking."
"If a faction consists of less than a majority, relief is supplied by the republican principle, which enables the majority to defeat its sinister views by regular vote....it may convulse the society; but it will be unable to execute and mask its violence under the forms of the Constitution. When a majority is included in a faction, the form of popular government, on the other hand, enables it to sacrifice to its ruling passion or interest both the public good and the rights of other citizens. To secure the public good and private rights against the danger of such a faction...is then the great object to which our inquiries are directed...this form of government can be rescued from the opprobrium...to the esteem and adoption of mankind."
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"The influence of factious leaders may kindle a flame within their particular States, but will be unable to spread a general conflagration through the other States. A religious sect may degenerate into a political faction in a part of the Confederacy; but the variety of sects dispersed over the entire face of it must secure the national councils against any danger from that source. A rage for paper money, for an abolition of debts, for an equal division of property, or for any other improper or wicked project, will be less apt to pervade the whole body of the Union than a particular member of it; in the same proportion as such a malady is more likely to taint a particular county or district, than an entire State."
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"In the extent and proper structure of the Union, therefore, we behold a republican remedy for the diseases most incident to republican government. And according to the degree of pleasure and pride we feel in being republicans, ought to be our zeal in cherishing the spirit and supporting the character of Federalists."
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James Madison, Federalist #10
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Would heartily suggest that Paula conduct your research in better fashion. All relative materials can be found here; http://gunshowonthenet.com/. This reply has been quoted on Keep and Bear Arms (http://keepandbeararms.com/news/nl/read_comments.asp?nl=59996920295977&tmpD=2%2F11%2F2006) And will soon be on my blog; http://gunshowonthenet.blogspot.com/ And perhaps, I may write about it on The Free Market News Network - http://www.freemarketnews.com/, which I contribute articles to.

Regards,
E. David Quammen
GunShowOnTheNet.com