2nd Amendment Thoughts
Some who know me have been suprised to hear my views on gun ownership. I am a female, a Christian, a conservative, a wife, a mother, and a grandmother- pretty much in that order too. If one were to cross paths with me out in public it is unlikely that one would suspect that I am an NRA supporter who loves to hunt and shoot. I do love to hunt and shooting is a lot of fun as well.
These are not the main reasons that I support personal gun ownership. I believe in personal responsibility, and being responsible for oneself means being able to defend oneself. One need only read the headlines on a few of the major Internet news sites or the cover of a major newspaper to see that criminals abound in our society and they don't follow the rules (thus the "criminal" label). Police are not hired to protect the citizenry. They are hired to apprehend and arrest criminals and turn them over to be prosecuted. Their presence sometimes deters criminals, but they can't be everywhere at once. So we should be willing, able, and skilled enough to protect ourselves. You can't often fight a criminal who has a gun by hitting or kicking him. It's also hard to hide from a criminal who is pointing a gun at you. Criminals are going to have weapons. No law will change that.
NO LAW WILL CHANGE THAT.
Guns are equalizers. Especially for women. Given that most women are not physically able to ward off an attack even if they have an opportunity to do so, having a weapon gives them a fighting chance to stop an attack.
Though Hollywood loves to film scenes of women screaming uncontrollably and running away from their assailants in high heels and hands waving, I prefer a different scenario. How about this. A criminal approaches a woman, intent on physically subduing her and sexually assaulting her, and the woman suddenly pulls out her concealed sub-compact 9mm semi-automatic and tells the guy "not this time, punk" and empties her 10 or 16 round magazine until he is no longer a threat.
I'd much rather be a survivor than a victim.
I believe law abiding citizens should be able to own whatever weapons they choose - as many as they choose, and the Second Amendment backs me up on this. Just as one has to pass a test to get a driver's license, I also believe one should pass a gun safety and training course to own a weapon. Some disagree with me on this, but guns and vehicles are both capable of killing people - so there should be some accountability.
I said earlier: Criminals are going to have weapons.
No law will change that.
NO LAW WILL CHANGE THAT.
Guns laws are idiocy.
Gun laws do not stop crime.
Gun laws are designed to control honest, law-abiding citizens, not criminals.
This brings me to the number one reason I support private gun ownership.
A well regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free
State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be
infringed.
Necessary to the security of a free State...
Without the Second Amendment, there is nothing the people can do to protect their other Constitutional Rights from a tyrannical government. Without the Second Amendment, the "free State" can quickly disintegrate.
So before you start critizing those of us who support and encourage private gun ownership, ask yourself this question. If the government comes after something that is yours or wants to force you to do something unconstitutional, or tell you how to raise your children, or where you can or cannot worship, or take your money and possessions and give them to someone else, what are you going to do without weapons? Will you be a survivor or a victim?
Labels: Constitution, Guns, Personal Observations/Stories
thoughts from Ms.Green @ Sunday, March 01, 2009
11 Comments:
Spot on assessment Ms Green!
Thanks for the support, TW2K- glad to know we're on the same side! :)
Some people may not realize it, but Christianity and Freedom are meant to be married!
I once read a gun magazine that did an extensive article on the 2nd Amendment. It gave dozens of examples throughout our history of how the 2nd was meant as an individual self-defense protection, as well as another check on tyrannical government. It's harder to be despotic when all your people are armed.
One part of the article mentioned a late 1700's mandate that encouraged every law abiding male to own and know how to operate the most state of the art weapon he could afford. What would that be today? I'd say that would be an automatic weapon. I personally don't have a problem with anyone who is law abiding, particularly a good Christian or Jew, from having an automatic weapon. They are no more a threat with that gun than with any other.
Before anyone tries it, don't no one bring up bazookas. That's just a stupid argument as no one wants to carry something so cumbersome, but would prefer an easily concealable piece, or something that's light but effective.
As to licensing, I vacilate on this point. I'd prefer NO ONE know just what I have, although a license to own or carry doesn't necessarily mean one even owns a gun. Even worse, however, is to have to register every piece. If I'm licensed to own, that should be enough. Again, I don't think I should have to say what kind of weapon or how many, I own. Remember, as a law abiding citizen, I'm also a check on tyrannical power. I don't see the need to give the gov't such info about a private citizen.
Criminals are always forbidden to ever own a weapon, so any of them found with one should be incarcerated.
Marshall, I'll do what you said not to do.
I don't care if a law abiding citizen owns automatic weapons, bazookas, or even a tank. So what? Criminals and tyrannical governments are the ones who are a threat - not law abiding citizens.
Now, if that law abiding citizen commits a felony and uses one of these weapons while perpetrating the crime, I say throw the book at them. Make them serve the maximum sentence and pay the maximum penalty.
Most states offer some sort of concealed carry permit, and the requirements vary from state to state, but one thing that is consistent with all of them is that the law-abiding, honest citizens who have the permits are the least likely to commit crimes.
When honest law abiding citizens are denied their right to protect themselves, THAT'S a problem.
Ms.Green, What I fear most is the laws and ordinances, both Federal and States, that would for example, give new meanings of what may constitute as an assault weapon. Or, what level of violence would require a victim to use a firearm in self defense. Or, what segments of society really need, or don't need, personal firearm protection. Or, what should be the Federal licensing requirements to possess or own a firearm. Of course all states already have laws on their books dealing with these and other firearm issues, but they can widely vary from state to state. Here-in lies the problem. I look for Obama to order his new Attorney General, Holder, to find ways to regulate all the states so that all states have the same, but more restrictive laws regulating Gun ownership. As always happens, it will start with "Well, it will be so much simpler if all States have the same laws." Once that happens, it will become so much easier for the Feds to restrict and control personal firearms of any degree. This is what happened in Great Britain. And of course, this is the first step in Totalitarian Rule. Disarm the people. Believe that they will try to do this, and soon. God Bless, Herm
Herm, I do believe it is coming. The attempt will be made to disarm law abiding citizens. Without the 2nd amendment, as I said earlier, there will be no other Constitutional rights. The longer BHO is in office, the more evil he seems. Frankly, I don't use that term loosely, but it is beginning to fit him like a glove.
Evil.
Don't worry, Ms Green. Obama stands firmly behind the 2nd amendment. Look at Michelle! She always wears sleeveless dresses. Obama understands the 2nd amendment guarantees our rights to bare arms.
Obama understands the 2nd amendment guarantees our rights to bare arms.
I don't know whether to lol or groan, Mark. :)
While we're on the subject...what's up with the media's obsession with Michelle's biceps and triceps? I was working out in the gym 3-4 times a week when Michelle was in diapers. Women all over America regulary hit the gym and stay fit. This love affair with MO's arms is really strange in my opinion. But then, if you really analyze the woman, she's not really classy, elegant, beautiful or even that pretty. She's actually very average looking. So maybe the media's obsession with her arms is to divert attention away from the fact that she's basically just a plain jane otherwise.
I completely agree. Widespread access to weaponry of all types, from automatic weapons to RPGs is why middle eastern countries are the safest in the world today.
That and widespread fundamentalist religious belief.
If only Sweden would arm their population perhaps someday they could decrease the rates of violence in their countries to that of Afganistan or Iraq.
Anon,
Even in your sarcasm, there is some truth. The fundamentalist Muslims are the reason for the violence in the middle east.
Compare though, to Israel. There, gun ownership is encouraged. Will-issue handgun permits are given, and an estimated 40-60% of people on the West Bank carry weapons. During times of terrorist high-alerts the police publicly ask the citizens to carry their weapons. in fact, in many instances, the Israeli government furnishes handguns to its citizens, including teenagers. Yet homicide and suicide are very low among Israelis. It's the radical fundamentalist Muslims that cause the violence in Israel.
In Europe, look at Switzerland,
where any law-abiding citizen can apply for and receive a handgun permit. Licensed citizens are free to carry their personal handguns concealed. In addition, every Swiss male of military age is issued a firearm and IS REQUIRED to keep it at home to perform his mandatory militia obligation.
The weapon is a full or semi-auto rifle.
Once military men retire, they may buy their issued firearms.
In both of these countries that have very liberal firearms laws, the violent crime rate is lower than average (with of course the exception of the constant attacks by Muslims on Israel).
You've bought into the media lie, anon. Law abiding citizens with guns are not a threat.
LOL! Ya gotta appreciate good sarcasm, even when it represents the other side.
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