[Glenn E. Meyer]

I think that they argued a tad about slavery - so they were aware of political arguments.

I do agree that the polarization of parties is detrimental to the RKBA as it has made the issue a totem of one group, so the other must oppose it.

I recall this from Hubert Humphrey - a liberal democrat

"The right of citizens to bear arms is just one guarantee against arbitrary government, one more safeguard against the tyranny which now appears remote in America, but which historically has proved to be always possible." -- Senator Hubert H. Humphrey (D-Minnesota)"