Law out of the dumpster

Rico says this is part of a column by Marie Parente, formerly of the Library Board of the Massachusetts State House, in the January 2010 issue of America's Freedom, published by the (oh, horrors) NRA:

Probably the shortest term in office was served by a library director who purged the collection by throwing out leather-bound books "because we have several copies of those books".
"What a waste", I thought. So, when I spotted the books in a hallway dumpster, I climbed in and retrieved them. After donating the books to local collectors and libraries, I kept one for myself: The Acts and Resolves of 1779.
Some years later, a new legislator proposed additional controls on gun ownership. The debate went on for hours. Remembering the old leather-bound dumpster book, I went to my office, found it, and rushed back to join the debate: "Mr. Speaker."
"For what purpose does the lady from Milford arise?"
"To debate, Mr. Speaker. I object to the proposed changes to our gun laws."
My opponent roared: "On what basis?"
"The Second Constitutional Amendment."
My opponent was relentless. "And where is it written that a man has the right to a private weapon?"
"I thought you would never ask," I responded, and read from the book: "Whereas by a Resolve of the General Court of this State on the 2nd of April 1778, for raising 1,300 men for North River, it was, among other things, resolved that every person who supplies himself with a good firelock and bayonet, cartouche box, haversack, and blanket... shall receive two dollars for the use of his firelock, bayonet, and cartouche box, and two dollars for the use of his blanket and four dollars in like proportion for either of them."
In conclusion, I said: "Had not the farmers brought their private weapons to the Revolution, we might not be standing here today."
I called for a roll call vote. The proposal to restrict ownership of private arms went down in flames.
Speaker McGee leaned over the rostrum: "Where did you find that one?"
I smiled: "In the dumpster, sir."