A MUST READ Charge to the Jury by U.S. Circuit Court Judge, (and soon to be Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court), Woods:

US v Cruikshank, Fifth Circuit Court of the U.S., , Judge [and soon to be Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court] Woods’ Jury Charge: “This statute is the law of the land . . . Its purpose is the protection of all citizens of the United States of every class and condition, in the exercise and enjoyment of their lawful and constitutional rights. . . . Its prohibitions are directed to all persons; its penalties fall upon all offenders against its provisions of every race, condition and party. . . . and it protects alike the rights of all. It applies to all parts of our country, and its provisions extend to every State and Territory in the Union . . . The second count charges a banding together of the indicted parties with the intent to injure, oppress, threaten and intimidate . . . with the purpose to hinder and prevent them in the free exercise and enjoyment of their constitutional right to bear arms . . . To band is defined to be “to associate, to unite.” Thus we read in the acts of the Apostles….”, March 14, 1874