The 2nd Amendment and YOU - Updated

From many in today's world, and in particular our country, OUR 2nd amendment is under constant attack. So, I blog about my concerns and beliefs.

Internationally, the U.N. has designs on restricting America's gun ownership, as part of an overall desire to eliminate armed societies. There are those in our country, in THIS administration, who are in favor of such a movement, but know the fight will be hard to get around the 2nd amendment.

In OUR country, there have been a number of anti-gun activists through the years, and in this administration, it is rife with such people, namely the US Attorney General, the Secretary of State, and the President himself. In turn, they are supported by various left-wing organizations, and strangely enough, even the ACLU (who usually defends individual rights!). They argue the 2nd amendment is NOT about an "individual" right, but only about a "militia", which would be organized and called out by the government. (The Supreme Curt has said it IS about an individuals right.)

Many non-gun and gun-owning Americans, fit into four basic positions: 1) Don't own one, and have no opinion on the subject either way; 2) Totally against firearm ownership, and believe only the police and/or military need to posses a firearm [these folks want each of us to depend on  9-1-1 to save us, and are NOT concerned that our government would ever turn on us]; 3) Believe in limited gun ownership [where one can own for protection, but don't think we should have so-called assault weapons]; and  4) those of us, who believe that the bottom line for a strong 2nd amendment, and firearms ownership, to protect ourselves AND our country. (I'm in the 4th group by the way.)

I am not speaking as a constitutional scholar, or an expert on the 2nd amendment. I am just an average citizen who reads on the various issues that concern me, and make decisions based on what I read and believe, and not what I'm told to believe (Anyone who knows me personally, can attest to that!).

But to me, one average American citizen (for whom The Constitution and Bill of Rights were written for), firmly believes the 2nd amendment was not about hunting. The 2nd amendment is about the "individual's right to bear arms, because, as George Mason has ".... believed that governmental tyranny was the primary evil against which the people had to defend ...". Having come from a country and government where the standing armies were used to control its populace, our founders wanted some measure of protection against having our own army turned against us, buy some "governmental tyranny".

If a government, insistent of "protecting" it's citizens, decides to disarm them, then what other freedoms will "they" decide is in our so-called best interest? And, if a president decides to subvert the constitutional structure of our nation, and conduct him/herself outside congressional approval, then how far is that from a dictatorship, i.e. tyranny?

If one is to accept that concept, then being able to "bear arms", to own firearms, not only protects one self and their family, but could be called upon to join with one's neighbors for a common defense, then just like the "Minutemen", a citizen would be prepared at any given moment, to help defend their community, or even their country. That principle didn't end with the Revolutionary War either.

As far as the so-called "assault weapon" issue, does one think for a moment that if our forefathers had access to a better firearm, they would buy what ever they could afford? Does anyone really think, that Patrick Henry would have said, "Yes, I know it's a better rifle to fight our well armed enemies with, but I don't think anyone needs to have more than the ol' Brown Bess!

My point is, that if firearms ARE for self defense, as well as a ready arm for a tyrannical government, then is keeping the citizens held to just a shotgun, and maybe a revolver, really acceptable? In the face of our enemies, foreign and possible domestic, who would CERTAINLY be armed with the latest in firearms, would YOU want to be saddled with such limited arms? If your enemies come to your neighborhood with AK-47s, wouldn't you prefer to have the same, or it's equivalent? And have ready access to it? (Storing them at an armory, which is controlled by the government, IS NOT ready access.)

I want to own what ever I can afford to purchase, maintain, safely store, and learn to shoot well with. Anything less, is a handicap.

Our 2nd Amendment Rights are constantly under attack. Politicians and anti-gun activists every day, are working to limit (and even eliminate) the 2nd Amendment, or at least cause it to not apply to YOU, the Individual. I will not sit quietly by and let that encroach on my freedoms and safety. I blog and write letters to Representatives, to help in my small way to keep MY rights....ALL of my rights! While many don't like my out-spokeness about such issues, I shall not, EVER, remain silent.

By the way, the NRA is the oldest and most organized organization, with 4 million strong members, who constantly watch and fight for our 2nd amendment rights. That's why I belong to the NRA. I ask you to join too.

Lastly, I want to add the following. In light of the terror and death brought upon those in Aurora Colorado, by one deranged person, I will say this -
As a former Law Enforcement Officer of 13+ years "on the street", I will ALWAYS be armed with what ever I think will best suit my needs. The Police, for all their want and try, are RESPONDERS. The call for aid/help, is most always as a result of a criminal act ALREADY committed, and victims ALREADY victimized. And friends, EVIL will always exist in the hearts and minds of the few, and no law will change that.