The Second Amendment was adopted by Congress in December 1791. At that time, no rifle was manufactured in the United States.
Principally in use by Americans was the French Charleville 1766 model. This weapon was fired, one round at a time, with a flint spark on gun powder propelling shot rammed down the open end of the barrel.The drafters of this amendment could not have imagined the horrendous killing guns to which their words would eventually be attached. Keep your six-shooters and hunting shotguns, and let's destroy the rest in private hands.-- Richard Holsinger, BenbrookHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
