The Founders’ Report Card:
How They’d Rate the Current State of the Union

Ever wonder what would happen if Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Ben Franklin stepped into a time machine and landed in the middle of 2026? After they finished being terrified by the horseless carriages and the glowing glass rectangles in everyone’s pockets, they’d probably want to take a long, hard look at how we’re doing with that "experiment in liberty" they started.

As patriots and firearms enthusiasts, we talk about the Founding Fathers a lot. But if we handed them a red pen and asked them to grade the current State of the Union based on their original vision, what would that report card look like?

Subject: The Right to Bear Arms

D+

Madison and the boys didn’t mince words when they wrote the Second Amendment. “Shall not be infringed” is about as clear as it gets. To them, the right to own and carry a firearm wasn’t about hunting deer or hitting paper targets — it was the ultimate check against tyranny and the fundamental right to self-preservation.

If the Founders saw our current landscape of tax stamps, background checks, “assault weapon” bans, and the constant legal tug-of-war over where you can and cannot carry, they’d be floored. They’d see a government that views a natural right as a granted privilege.

However, they wouldn’t give us an “F.” Why? Because they’d see people like you. They’d see the millions of Americans who have stepped up to take responsibility for their own safety. They’d see the explosion in the concealed carry community and the technical innovation in firearms and accessories. They would be impressed by our resilience, even if they were disgusted by the bureaucracy.

Subject: Limited Government and the 10th Amendment

F

This is the big one. The Founders were obsessed with the idea that government should be as small as possible and as close to the people as possible. The 10th Amendment was supposed to ensure that anything not explicitly handed to the federal government belonged to the states and the people.

Fast forward to 2026. Between the massive federal agencies, the mountain of administrative law, and the three-letter groups that seem to make up rules on a whim, the Founders would barely recognize the system. The federal budget and the national debt would look like a nightmare scenario to them.

Subject: Individual Privacy and the 4th Amendment

D-

Ben Franklin once said, “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”

In an era of mass digital surveillance, data harvesting, and the constant monitoring of our transactions, the Founders would be horrified. They believed a man’s home was his castle. Today, that castle has glass walls, and the government has binoculars.

Subject: Self-Reliance and Personal Responsibility

C

The Founders lived in a world where if you didn’t do it yourself, it didn’t get done. In 2026, we see a mixed bag. A huge portion of the population expects the government to provide for their every need — a culture problem enabled by big government.

On the other hand, they would find kindred spirits in the prepper and training communities. At 2A Arms LLC, we put a huge emphasis on this. Our owner, Joshua Soutullo, a seasoned Navy Hospital Corpsman, understands that self-reliance isn’t just about the hardware — it’s about the skills.

Subject: Medical Preparedness: The Corpsman’s Perspective

Incomplete

The Founders would be amazed by modern medical technology, but concerned by how few people actually know how to use it. Gear without training is only halfway there. Joshua’s background as a Navy Hospital Corpsman has taught us one thing: being capable in a crisis is what matters.

Subject: The Spirit of the People

B+

Here is the silver lining. Despite the overreach and political division, the American spirit is still alive and well — thanks to patriots like you. The Founders would be heartened to see the flame of liberty still burning.

At 2A Arms LLC, we’re here to help you do exactly that.
The semester isn’t over. Now is the time to buckle down and get to work.

Let’s do it! Murica!