2nd Amendment Verbiage

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andyb

New member
I've read that the actual words of the 2Amend contain but one comma. I used a couple hours yesterday looking for that "one comma" rendition to no avail. Searches for various "constitution" & "amendments" combinations took me to many places where the 2Amend had three commas.

I know punctuation is meant to clarify intent, so a few extra commas could allow those who "interpret for us" the opportunity to change the intent.

I see the SAS (http://www.sas-aim.org/) has the "one" comma version and is the only place I've found. Even those who publish copies of "the real handwritten thing" show 3 commas; viz a viz "Article the fourth" on http://www.constitution.org/cons/bill.jpg.

(There were 12 Articles presented but two were not ratified, therefore the number change.)

Is someone out there changing our history by doctoring our documents?

Where can I find a legitimate copy of "the real thing"? Anybody have a pre-wjc encyclopedia or other reference - older the better????

Andy

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2nd AMENdment - "So Be It."
 
I looked at the actual document at the National Archives in WADC a few years ago. I specifically counted the commas. I only counted two; one behind the word Militia, and one behind the word State.

The document was in a condition such that it is possible that other punctuation has washed out over the years, but I don't think so.

Signs all over the place in the gallery where the Constitution is displayed which say NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY. What do people do? Flash, flash, flash, flash. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I glared at a lot of people that day.

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"Anyone feel like saluting the flag which the strutting ATF and FBI gleefully raised over the smoldering crematorium of Waco, back in April of ‘93?" -Vin Suprynowicz
 
andyb & deanf: Interesting thread here. I dug out the oldest source I have personally and checked. In the 1963 edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica (a birthday gift from mom and dad on my 11th birthday) the 2nd Amendment is given as follows: "Article II - A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." One comma, after "State". Hmmm.
 
nw: best hold on to that - might become important one day .... like tomorrow, huh?

dean: if you went to the link, you could make out 3. Makes me wonder.

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2nd AMENdment - "So Be It."
 
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