Actually, there was an instance before the Revolution where the British commander decreed that the people of Boston were to surrender their arms. This was done in exchange for allowing the people in Boston to leave with their personal belongings and goods. There is a good record of what was confiscated. After the Bostonians gave up their arms, the British commander rescinded his promise and did not allow "goods" to leave the city.

It was estimated that at least 50 percent of the adult males owned weapons in the city of Boston at that time. It is also surmised that people turned in their junk weapons and kept the good stuff...not trusting the British.

Had it not been for a group of private citizens, the United States would still be a Brit colony. Of course no one is advocating the overthrow of the government by violent means but the need for an armed citizenry is still valid today. IF you think that it would be impossible to do the American Revolution today given the size and strength of the armed forces, remember that the British had the most powerful army and navy in the world in the 1770 era....they were unbeatable.

This article was in a recent "American Rifleman" which is an NRA monthly magazine.

mike in tucson