I couldn't agree more that the second amendment should be interpreted to include guns considered similar to those in use at the time by the founding fathers, guns that could be successful fighting against an encroaching tyranny.

The NRA problem, though, where it is a problem, stems from a feeling of impotence among today's militiamen because the government's firepower against which they may someday have to react has increased beyond any ability they have to match it.

Hence thay stubbornly insist on laws that permit them to have weapons of as mass a destruction as they can get. It's suicidal, but "give me liberty or give me death", instructs them, unconvinced that ballots are better than bullets against the tyranny they fear.