The Right To Bear Arms
OK… I got sidetracked yesterday when talking about the Supreme Court recent ruling and spoke more about the justices than I did about our right to bear arms, which was threatened. WE have that constitutional right and, I am convinced, it was specifically placed there by our Founders to ensure WE have the ability to defend both ourselves and our country should the need arise.
There are many people against guns, whether they are hand guns, rifles, or whatever. Even TOY guns are despised by many (to which I say “get a life!”). But WE have the right to own guns. Most gun owners actually USE them for either recreation (target shooting) or sport (hunting). If that were the only purpose for guns, an argument against them might hold more weight. But, even though most gun owners seldom if ever get to USE them for this purpose, many own them for protection. They want the ability to defend themselves. Which is a very serious thing… and is much more difficult to argue against.
Those who maintain that guns should be outlawed typically cite safety issues. Most often, their statistics are flawed (which will be a topic for another day). More significantly, though, their logic is flawed.
When has a law ever actually STOPPED something from happening?
Sure, a law against some activity might reduce it… but I can’t think of a single instance when it has completely stopped it. For example:
- Prohibition didn’t actually stop the sale and consumption of alcohol (in fact, it pushed it underground and into the hands of criminals).
- We have speed limit laws on our highways… but officers hand out thousands of speeding tickets every day.
- There are laws against slavery and yet, just the other day, two people were convicted of it in New York.
- I could go on and on… you can think of many example, too.
- And, of course, we already have laws against felons owning guns… but they somehow seem to find them and use them in other criminal activities.
The fact is, most laws are followed by those inclined to follow the law… and those who aren’t will still do what they want to do, legal or illegal.
So, given the very serious nature of our right to bear arms… and no rational argument against it… why would it be threatened?
I can only conclude that there are many people who do NOT believe our Constitution was a well thought out document… that they are smarter than those who risked everything to found this great country of ours. That must mean they don’t like the U.S., they don’t respect the things that have made it great, they value more some other form of government where the people have less freedom, and… rather than migrate to some other country where the government and lifestyle better fit their beliefs (as most people in such situations have done and continue to do)… they INSIST on changing OUR country!
That means it is up to US, the believers in our country and its Constitution, to speak loudly when our rights are challenged. WE must be strong, we must not try to “get along” in these areas, we must be ever vigilent. If not, we WILL lose our rights… and our country.
