This article is an update of a portion of a seven part series I
wrote in 2012 on the rationale for gun ownership.  While it’s a
bit long, I hope it will be useful in the current debate.  The
Heller decision made explicit the Supreme Court’s interpretation
of the Second Amendment.  A part of that interpretation
(referring to the earlier Miller case) was:  …that the sorts of
weapon protected were those ‘in common use at the time…’ We
think that limitation is fairly supported by the historical
tradition of prohibiting the carrying of ‘dangerous and unusual
weapons.  It is likely this sentence that has caused
contemporary gun grabbers to avoid overt handgun bans:   For
now, the handguns in common use have not been broadly targeted
by anti-freedom forces, however handguns bans have always been
one of their most beloved and ultimate goals.  Accurate
knowledge of those weapons and their political use and abuse is
essential for those who support liberty  I write for those whose
knowledge of firearms and related termi