(Thread) Gun Laws in America Have Been A Means of Solidifying White Power
Part I: Colonial America to the Writing of the Second Amendment.
I recently wrote about how rape is a means of asserting patriarchal power.
Now let’s look at gun laws.
Part I: Colonial America to the Writing of the Second Amendment.
I recently wrote about how rape is a means of asserting patriarchal power.
Now let’s look at gun laws.
https://twitter.com/Teri_Kanefield/status/1044239602477723648
1/ Source: This incredible reference put together by Mark Frassetto @MarkFrassetto
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cf…
Among the first gun laws in America outlawed giving guns to Native Americans.
Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York had similar laws.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cf…
Among the first gun laws in America outlawed giving guns to Native Americans.
Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York had similar laws.
2/ It was also a crime to give guns to Blacks. No surprise there, right?
Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Virginia had similar laws.
Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Virginia had similar laws.
3/ And what about whites? They were required to carry guns.
I wonder why? 🤔 [Sarcasm. I know why]
To police the enslaved population and maintain white power.
I wonder why? 🤔 [Sarcasm. I know why]
To police the enslaved population and maintain white power.
4/ I also know why whites were required to carry guns to church.
Because the enslaved people figured out that the best time to escape or rebel was when all the white people were in church.
The white guns with guns called themselves citizen militias.
Because the enslaved people figured out that the best time to escape or rebel was when all the white people were in church.
The white guns with guns called themselves citizen militias.
5/ In fact, it was the need for local militias to enforce the plantation system which gave us the Second Amendment.
Fact: The Second Amendment was demanded by slaveowners and written by a slaveowner.
Source for this next section, this⤵️ book by @mawaldman
Fact: The Second Amendment was demanded by slaveowners and written by a slaveowner.
Source for this next section, this⤵️ book by @mawaldman
6/ As the Constitution was being finalized, George Mason thought it needed a Bill of Rights. He said⤵️
Most of the others, however, didn’t think it necessary.
Most of the others, however, didn’t think it necessary.
7/ They thought enough power resided in the states, and the institutional checks and balances would protect individual rights and the rights of states.
The states, however, disagreed.
Massachusetts, for example, wanted freedom of speech and religion protected.
The states, however, disagreed.
Massachusetts, for example, wanted freedom of speech and religion protected.
8/ Slaveowners had their particular worry about a particular phrase in Article II. This one⤵️
They immediately saw how this would allow the federal government to end slavery — by commandeering and dismantling their militias.
They immediately saw how this would allow the federal government to end slavery — by commandeering and dismantling their militias.
9/ Patrick Henry in Virginia came right to the point:
Yes, he's the guy who said "Give me liberty or give me death," now discussing how to ensure that the Constitution didn't infringe on his right to own slaves.
Irony died a long time ago.
Yes, he's the guy who said "Give me liberty or give me death," now discussing how to ensure that the Constitution didn't infringe on his right to own slaves.
Irony died a long time ago.
10/ Martin Luther, a slave owner in Maryland, observed that Congress could easily dismantle local militias⤵️
James Madison promised his fellow Virginian leaders that he would draft an amendment giving states control of their militias.
James Madison promised his fellow Virginian leaders that he would draft an amendment giving states control of their militias.
11/ The draft of the Second Amendment that Madison submitted to Congress (after the discussion with Patrick Henry and the others) looked like this⤵️
It was understood, of course, that "people" were white.
It was understood, of course, that "people" were white.
12/ Pennsylvania also wanted the right to bear arms. They wanted a local militia ready to fight the Native Americans.
When the Senate came up with the final version of the Second Amendment, they met in secret. We don't know how they settled on this language and syntax.
When the Senate came up with the final version of the Second Amendment, they met in secret. We don't know how they settled on this language and syntax.
13/ @MarkFrassetto put together that incredible resource of early gun laws in America. Thank you.
He'd like to add this:
He'd like to add this:
https://twitter.com/MarkFrassetto/status/1341411053482233865
Error alert: Should have been "The white GUY with guns called themselves citizen militias."
Not "white guns with guns."
But you all knew that, right?
All errors are entirely the fault of keyboard gremlins.
Not "white guns with guns."
But you all knew that, right?
All errors are entirely the fault of keyboard gremlins.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
