Modern American Revolution?

The comment that I hear most often from Americans in favor of gun control legislation is that firearms are not needed today in the same way that our founding fathers needed firearms.  They say that Americans today would never be able to have a revolution and stand up against our government.  The argument is that the size and scope of our American government and military is such that this would be impossible.  Isn't this exactly what our founding fathers were trying to prevent?  When you examine our Constitution, it is obvious that our country was founded on a LIMITED federal government.  The men who fought for their independance over 200 years ago knew the folly of a government that did not fear the citizens it represented.  A well armed citizenry was necessary to ensure that an out of control government was held accountable for its actions.  Well armed citizens were also necessary in the event that they were needed to be "called up" in defense of our country.

I would argue that the supposition that Americans could never stage a revolution today is exactly the reason that America's firearm regulations should be less restrictive.  Our inability to defend ourselves from our own government is the greatest threat to our personal liberties.  We have a government that currently enacts laws without regard to the Constitution under the assumption that the Supreme Court will make the final determination.  While this is correct in theory, it is only valid if the Supreme Court is composed of members who strictly apply the Constitution and do not interpret the Constitution based on their personal ideals.  With possible Supreme Court nominations over the next four to eight years coming from the Obama administration, I am doubtful that new justices will follow the Constitution strictly.  I am more inclined to believe that they will look to international law for precidents when the Constitution does not fit their personal agendas.

Preventing the American people from being able to stand against a tyrannical government is the first step in removing the power from the people and placing it with the government.  I know that most Americans do not feel that we have fallen far enough into the abyss to speak of revolution, but the time may come.  When that time comes, I would like to have the choice to stand on the side of freedom rather than trampled under the boot of oppression.