They took up arms before quill was placed to parchment but the idea that they believed in was still there, it predated that particular writing.I probably should let it drop... but since you asked...
Our forefathers took up arms before the second amendment, and any constitution. So, technically...
And they installed a whole other bunch of things to go along with the 2A, that can be used in lieu of taking up arms, e.g. a republic, checks and balances, voting.
There's been numerous cases related to the 1A, but I can't recall a single decision in which a judge wrote, "Because of the well armed militia in America..."
If there comes a time when the 2A is literally protecting the 1A, then all hell has broken loose and laws, incl. the Constitution will be disregarded in part or in whole.
It's a catchy slogan, and comforting thought that reinforces the need for an armed populace, but it doesn't square up with reality.
That's all I got. I need more coffee.
They also said that as soon as the voters discover they can vote largesse for themselves out of the public treasury a democracy is doomed. I know we are not a democracy, but we are still really close to that tipping point, where we will see if voting works or not. I would say it has already failed just based on fact that we are where we are in this nation.
I just don't see those checks and balances working well. Corruption is rampant. Voting is right on the verge of broken. To hold that up as "the way" has seemed hopeless for a long time now to me.
Are we not on the verge of all hell breaking loose?
It doesn't square up with reality, yet. Welcome to 2020.
Relax, you probably don't need that much coffee to argue with me.