Foundation
of the Second Amendment
Daniel McGee, M.P.A., BA Criminal Justice
NRA Certified Instructor, OPOTA Firearms Instructor
July 9, 2014
NRA Certified Instructor, OPOTA Firearms Instructor
July 9, 2014
There
certainly is still a lot of clamor about guns, gun rights, the constitution,
and where we as Americans should stand. I, like many pro-2nd
Amendment people believe that the amendment is clear and the founding
principles of the 2nd Amendment were put in place for a reason. I,
unlike some pro-2nd Amendment people believe that it is more
complicated than simply saying don’t touch the Bill of Rights. I believe being
a police officer with many years on the job gives me a little more perspective
than the average person. However, let me make it clear. We HAVE a right to
defend ourselves at all times. We HAVE a right to decide how we spend our money
and on what gun we find ideal to protect ourselves. And, we have a right to
preserve history and what our Founding Fathers fought so hard to give us!
I plan
on writing a lot on this topic, but here is an opener for all to read…
The 2nd
Amendment came not without great thought and debate even back in the 1700’s.
Sure it was a different time. Our great nation limped as we came out of the
French and Indian War of the mid-1700’s, and then move right into the American
Revolutionary War beginning in 1775. We were not immune from the tyranny of the
British, people who we fought beside some 15 years earlier. 
Where
were we to go as a new nation with a new direction? Well, we had to look at
what had brought us to the new land to begin with. An escape from a cruel king
and a reset from believing we couldn’t go it alone after the move. We watched
as the British tried to keep the new Americans from arming themselves and again
watched as they invaded us in a more organized and more technological manner
(more and better arms).
Where
were we to go as a new nation with a new direction? Well, we had to look at
what had brought us to the new land to begin with. An escape from a cruel king
and a reset from believing we couldn’t go it alone after the move. We watched
as the British tried to keep the new Americans from arming themselves and again
watched as they invaded us in a more organized and more technological manner
(more and better arms).
Our
founding fathers looked at what we had come from, what those early Americans
had to endure, and wanted to ensure we, as a people, could and would be able to
defend ourselves when we needed to (then and in the future!). And no, they we
not just thinking about invading armies of another land. They were also talking
about defending ourselves against the tyranny of some of our own people and
those who chose not to live in peace. Thomas Paine said “The supposed quietude
of a good man allures the ruffian; while on the other hand, arms like laws
discourage and keep the invader and the plunderer in awe, and preserve order in
the world as well as property. The same balance would be preserved were all the
world destitute of arms, for all would be alike; but since some will not,
others dare not lay them aside... Horrid mischief would ensue were one half the
world deprived of the use of them...."(Paine, 1794). Here, Paine starts by
saying the person who is timid draws the attention of the “ruffian”, or people
who wish to cause problems. You know the thief, the robber, the rapists. And
Paine clearly states that firearms, like laws, discourage people from doing
things against others. I contend that firearms do more than laws. As you can
see many people break laws each and every day. Chicago is filled with anti-gun
laws and it is the most grotesque example of people in disarray and they are fearful
because of all of the murders/shootings.
Anyways,
I digress. One important piece to the puzzle is looking at the principle
foundation of our country. That is, a democracy. I think some people see the
word democrat when they look at it, but that is not what it means. De-moc-ra-cy means “government
by the people; a
form of government in which the
supreme power is vested
in the people and
exercised directly by them or
by their elected agents
under a free electoral
system” (democracy, 2014). This means that we use our voices to tell our
elected officials how to move forward. We do this by casting votes. And then
these votes are counted and the majority wins. And, over the last several years
it has been an overwhelming majority who believe we do NOT infringe the 2nd
Amendment. And, this is not a Tea Party or Republican issue. Many, many
Democrats are people who hunt, who are police officers, who are people who live
in bad neighborhoods and want that right to have a gun. These are peaceable
people and taking away that option makes them sitting ducks. It binds their
hands against self-protection. It keeps them from hunting and enjoying the
fruits of the hunt.
In 1788,
during the Virginia convention to ratify the Constitution, co-author George Mason
stated taking away firearms from the people is a sure way to enslave them. And in
1789 Samuel Adams stated “And that the said Constitution be never construed to
authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the Press, or the rights of
Conscience; or to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable
citizens, from keeping their own arms” (Liberty Links, 2014, ¶5).
Sure it was a different time back then, but what is so different about protecting oneself today? We have gang-bangers shooting innocent people all of the time (don't recall Thomas Jefferson complaining about that). We have people attacking the U.S. with planes and openly stating they will attack again. What, you want to wait until they invade us before you are arm yourself? Sure there was robbery back then, which is one reason they wanted guns. Now look at us! Robbery isn't just limited to stage coaches and bank cars. And it is NOT a peaceable person who randomly shoots up offices, churches, and schools. It is a nut job who does not represent the majority.
What we
are now doing is trying to infringe on those peaceable citizens. Yes, I’ve
heard the arguments about the various caliber firearms. Why do they need that big of a gun? My answer is I don’t know! But, I also don’t
know why someone feels the need to own a boat, or a motorcycle, or why they
need a television in every room, or why people eat out at restaurants when they
have kitchens in their homes. But, what others do with their money to fulfill
their wants is NOT my business. And guess what, it is NOT yours! If YOU don’t
want to own an M4 carbine, or an AK47, or a Glock 22 then don’t buy one! I don’t
feel the need to have a jet ski so should I start a movement to ban them? I
mean come on, they use gas, have an exhaust, and are noisy. So, let’s just ban
them! Let’s not stop there though, because last year a lot of people died in
boat accidents. Let’s get rid of boats. And the anti-gun person who is reading
this is now thinking, man, you are just
saying stupid stuff. Yes, I am, and so are you! The difference is that I
say it in jest, you actually believe your silliness.
Property of P.A.T.R.O.L. Systems LLC. Founder
Daniel McGee during an instructional video on CCW.
The rights
of a free people were established long ago and our modern, progressive, anti-gun, don’t like it because I don’t want it
movement is trying to change history. We, as a PEOPLE should NOT let this
happen. We as a PEOPLE of a democracy should not allow our voice to be shouted
out by a few zealots.
I will
continue to write on this topic and hope to have a new blog on where the real
issues with guns lay. I hope you continue to enjoy my blog and ask that you
comment and like the postings. Remember, we are getting ready for elections
very soon. Know your candidate and know if they will protect your 2nd
Amendment right! And one final thought to ponder…We give credit to our founders
for their intelligence on many of the other rights delivered in the U.S.
Constitution and the following Bill of Rights. The leftist press jumps up and
down about Freedom of Press. The ACLU will spend countless dollars on protection
against Illegal Search and Seizure. Why doesn’t the anti-gun movement give
credit to the founders that they are right on the 2nd Amendment?
God
Bless and God Bless America!
References:
democracy. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged.
Retrieved July 09, 2014, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/democracy
Liberty Links. (2014). Quotes on the Second
Amendment. Retrieved July 9, 2014, from http://macaulay.cuny.edu/eportfolios/libertylinks/2013/03/25/what-the-founding-fathers-said-about-the-second-amendment/
Thomas Paine. (n.d.). The James Madison Research Library
and Information Center. Retrieved July 9, 2014, from http://www.madisonbrigade.com/t_paine.htm.
Image
Credits:
Constitution Signing - http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/models/declaration/images/signingdecofind_lrg.jpg
Voting Booth - http://www.politicspa.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Voting-booth.jpg
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