1800's
The Tenn. Constitution was modified / approved / ratified by the voters in March 1835.
This Armed Citizen message was not lost on this century either, shortly afterwards exampled with that Supreme Court in 1840 un-deniably reinforcing the specific purpose of. . .
military grade weapons being held in the hands of civilians.
The given imperative was
Ownership. . . Private. . . Military grade !!
However, there was NO Compromise in the understanding of "shall not be infringed.
" The free white men may keep arms, (Remember, this was PRE - Civil War.)
a. to protect the public liberty,
b. to keep in AWE those who are in power, and <<==================================
c. to maintain the supremacy of the laws and [ protect ] the constitution." [*1] <<============
Certainly the phrases "in AWE" and "defending the Constitution" are the overwhelming reasons that civilians can and must possess military grade firepower whenever it is practical. Even so, the political declaration and firepower phraseology had very humble beginnings.
This began as just an "ordinary guy" kind of case. In June 1839 an altercation occurred involving William AYMETTE, his Bowie Knife, a Mr. Hamilton, and possibly alcohol. After the smoke cleared, Aymette was charged with carrying such a weapon concealed under his vest. The knife was not a military grade weapon so it COULD be regulated. therefore it Could Be legally restricted from concealed carry, and violators could be charged. In the Tenn. Supreme Court Decision, Mr. Aymette paid a very hefty fine.
This military grade contrast is still being referrenced in courts today nearly 200 years later.
The 1939 Supreme Court Mr. Miller Sawed off shotgun case Referenced the case as did the 2008 Magnificent Justice Antonin Scalia’s magnificent second Amendment magnificent gun decision. . . more than once.
[*1] [Aymette vs. State TENN, 1840]
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