JONATHAN TURLEY: James Talarico’s defense of gun control leaves out a key word… The reason, he declared, is that the Second Amendment expressly embraces gun control by referring to the right to bear arms as “well regulated.” [More]
But, of course, that’s simply not true.
So why is it so many Texans are willing to vote in a demonstrable liar?
“well regulated.”
There have always been other meanings of the words “regulator” and regulated” that do not imply any action by a legislative or rule making body.
Cars used to have a separate voltage regulator. More modern ones still have the regulator but it is now included as a part of the alternator.
Any computer in your life has, and could not function without, a regulated power supply, likely incorporating one or more 7805 or 7812 voltage regulator chips or the like.
That round thing at the end of your barbecue grill’s gas supply hose is another kind of regulator.
At the time of the writing and ratification of The Bill of Rights, “well regulated” meant capable of fulfilling an intended purpose. But word usage changes over time.
One can only wonder what Rep. Talarico thinks the line from the Christmas carol that says “Don we now our gay apparel” is suggesting.