That Every Man Be Armed: The Evolution of a Constitutional Right

by Stephen P. Halbrook

That Every Man Be Armed, the first scholarly book on the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, has played a significant role in constitutional debate and litigation since it was first published in 1984. Halbrook traces the right to bear arms from ancient Greece and Rome to the English republicans, then to the American Revolution and Constitution, through the Reconstruction period extending the right to African Americans, and onward to today’s controversies. With reviews of recent literature and court decisions, this new edition ensures that Halbrook’s study remains the most comprehensive general work on the right to keep and bear arms.ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORSStephen P. Halbrook’s recent books include The Founders’ Second Amendment and The Swiss and the Nazis. He is an attorney in Fairfax, Virginia, whose works are cited by the Supreme Court.ACCLAIM“Aimed not simply at law scholars or students, but at every citizen who is interested in discovering why the issue of gun control is a volatile one, and why the right to carry and bear arms is too ingrained in our society and government for a simple solution to be found.”-- Constitutional Law“Informs, challenges, and should change people’s understanding of the second amendment and of past and present policy debates. . . . Whether one wants more laws restricting guns, fewer restrictions on gun rights, or legal and historical evidence about what the second amendment really means, the book will provide new facts and insights.”-- Constitutional Commentary“Strikes directly at the heart of the controversy. . . . [T]he value of Mr. Halbrook’s work lies not in the answers it provides, but in the serious constitutional questions raised.”-- Gonzaga Law Review"The book is, as might be expected from Halbrook, and excellent piece of historic research and writing—and well worth adding to one's personal library."-- Muzzle Blasts

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction, Law, Political Science

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Christina Knight · Rating 1 out of 5]

The claim that the 2nd amendment provides a right to use arms to resist the government is absolutely false. Such ‘resistance’ falls under US law dealing with sedition. It is illegal and unconstitutional to take up arms against the US government. Who makes the determination that a government is acting tyrannicaly? The Confederacy thought that the Union was behaving tyrannically, and seceded, and you know how that turned out. What the author is arguing, is that the Constitution is a suicide pact, that would permit its death via armed action, by some of its citizens.
There is no court precedent, or ruling, that would permit such an armed uprising. It is the false argument, that there is a constitutional right, to resist the government by force, that has been used by gun extremists, to justify possession of AR 15s, and other weapons of war.
Here is a quote from google: “Nevertheless, sedition remains a crime in the United States under 18 U.S.C.A. § 2384 (2000), a federal statute that punishes seditious conspiracy, and 18 U.S.C.A. § 2385 (2000), which outlaws advocating the overthrow of the federal government by force.”

[Drew Chrisman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic overview of the language, history, constitutional debates, and notable court rulings surrounding the 2nd amendment. This book is for the legal scholar, historian, hunter, peace officer, and dude who has a "2A" sticker on the back of his truck. Halbrook's writing is packed with information, which can be fatiguing, but none the less important.

[Donald G Charlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well researched book

This book was very well researched and written. It should be required reading for any historical discussion regarding people’s right to self-defense and U.S. history.

[T.L. Blankenburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd Amendment

Great research on the history of the 2nd amendment. I recommend this book to all who wish to understand the Bill of Rights.

[Christopher Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read if you want to understand the history of the 2nd amendment, the meaning it has held throughout US history and why it needs to be defended.

[Steve Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic legal and historical research and analysis. A bit dated nowadays but looks forward to, and set the arguments for, both the Heller and McDonald decisions. Halbrook is the best.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little bit harder to read then his "The Founder's Second Amendment" book. While this book was published earlier, part of the book felt repetitious as I had already read the other book. This books goes farther back than the US to examine other societies such as Rome and why the right to keep and bear arms existed back then. Still a good book to have as a reference.

[Princesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up on a whim. Lots of information contained within; a concise read on gun rights and laws from the English shores to the U.S.