The New Rifle

As the sun was coming up and the morning mist began to clear, Paul leaves his home and starts toward town. The air had a sweet smell from the honeydew bushes, and squirrels were busy with their daily gathering of nuts.

Paul had business to attend to, or he would have climbed from his horse to pop a couple squirrels for dinner. He gripped his long gun, wishing he had the time to take such pleasures.

But the business of the day, was a serious one, and Paul knew well the risks. Paul was to meet with friends at a barn outside town. Such a meeting, was forbidden by the British authorities. Arrests, or worse, could happen if caught.

As Paul arrived, he was let into the barn and his horse was stalled with the others. A number of local men were assembled, and some rousing debates were already being exchanged. While they shared similar views about the future of the New World, the "how" to get there was sometimes a continuous point.

When all were assembled, including those calling themselves, the Sons of Liberty, John called everyone over to a crate, that he was opening. "Gentlemen, these are the best rifles to ever come along", he said as he took a rifle out. The group was in awe, as well as inquisitive of the rifle's features.

Henry spoke up. "John, that's a fierce looking gun, and I bet it'll shoot a long way. I fear it will be misused by some."

"Henry, our very existence depends on our ability to match gun for gun, that of our enemies, our enemies of freedom. They will be well armed, and in greater numbers."

"But shouldn't such rifles be reserved for the Army Regulars?"

"I can understand your reservations Henry, but they already have the best. We need to have our own, to grab in a minutes notice, and be able to repel our enemies. I've loved my ol' musket, but this will give me the edge to match what my enemies will come at me with."

Paul spoke up, "Henry, I'm with John. Why should I have have less of a weapon than my foe? Why should I have to stick to my bird gun, when my enemies will come at us with better weapons? Any threat of abuse by the corrupt, pales in the face of the threat that may be coming from our enemies. Besides, just last week, the Brits raided the weapons stores in Worcester, and the local men who didn't keep their own rifles, were left without any. Then the Brits had no trouble rounding up the list of so-called "rabble rousers"! Those Brits took their only means to resist such force."

The new rifle was passed around for everyone to look at. Such a long slim rifle, that had fine rifling for longer and far more accurate shots. Such a rifle had never been used before, but these men knew if the alarm was sounded, there would be no time to get to the storehouse, and they better be ready in a minutes notice. Each of the men were to take one with them when they left.
.................................

While the above is a fictional account of otherwise historically significant events, I wish to make a point. The "military" styles of rifles today, or "assault weapons" by the Clinton and Obama standards, are nothing more than a far more modern weapon of today, than those of 236 years ago. Keeping in mind that the 2nd amendment is about keeping men free from enemies and tyrants, and not about hunting, how could anyone not think Paul Revere and other such men would NOT have chosen such a rifle if they had a choice?

Today, Obama is in favor of the United Nations Small Arms Treaty, as well as an "Assault Weapons Ban". Tragic mass shootings cause a flinched reaction to ban the weapons used by such bad people. But in fact, such murders have happened throughout history, and such bans, ONLY ban "law abiding" citizens from owning what is otherwise legal to own.

I'd add this - The average "non-shooting" citizen doesn't know much about firearms, and easily buys into the "assault weapon ban", because those who promote such most often make it sound like such "militaristic" style weapons, have a "machine gun" capability. They do not. Machine guns, those firing many rounds at a time - with one pull of the trigger - are NOT legal by average citizens, and have been heavily regulated since 1934. Yet, the proponents of such new laws, report the weapons they target, as machine guns and "automatic" weapons.

No matter the "look" of a weapon, if it is used to kill people, it is an ASSAULT weapon . As for many people being shot, most any weapon can do such harm. I can promise anyone, that with a little practice, a 5-shot pump shotgun, fired rapidly and reloaded rapidly, can kill and wound a LOT of people before most law enforcement would ever get to the scene. Would those wounded, feel better about being shot by a  bad guy who didn't use an "assault weapon"?

As a nation, we have failed to properly deal with those who commit crimes, and those who have expressed such intents. As for the others, there will ALWAYS be evil in the land, and no amount of laws will stop evil. All we can do then, is stop evil when it raises its ugly head. And for that, I'd prefer the best firearm or other tool of defense, as I can afford!

I fully expect that had our Forefathers had a choice, their statued depiction would have included an AR-15!