I have thought long and hard before writing this post. But enough is enough. But this conversation needs to be started. I would like to start this off by saying I am a hunter and a fishermen and a N.R.A. member. I understand the need to have guns. In Alaska you do not want to come face to face with a bear or a moose without one. I get that I encourage that. I understand that. But enough is enough already with the assault riffles. Those are made for hunting people. It is time to see that the NRA making the laws to self govern themselves is just not working. The big money by them and others needs to be removed from our elections.
Look I have never understood how politicians can raise millions to get elected but these same industries and these same leaders in the community do not give that same money to schools, the homeless, vets, poor, sick, old etc. Seems investing in America and it people would far better serve them and their products as well as productivity. It is shameful what lobbyist are allowed to do to our government and our laws. There is a basic morel compass that we all have. It is our free will weather or not that we choose to use it. I hear the second amendment backers screaming at the reading of this. But really lets break that down shall we?
Early English settlers in America viewed the right to arms and/or the right to bear arms and/or state militias as important for one or more of these purposes
- enabling the people to organize a militia system.
- participating in law enforcement;
- deterring tyrannical government;
- repelling invasion;
- suppressing insurrection, allegedly including slave revolts;
- facilitating a natural right of self-defense.
During the 1760s pre-revolutionary period, the established colonial militia was composed of colonists, including many who were loyal to British imperial rule. As defiance and opposition to British rule developed, a distrust of these Loyalists in the militia became widespread among the colonists, known as Patriots, who favored independence from British rule. As a result, some Patriots created their own militias that excluded the Loyalists and then sought to stock independent armories for their militias. In response to this arms build up, the British Parliament established an embargo on firearms, parts and ammunition on the American colonies. British and Loyalist efforts to disarm the colonial Patriot militia armories in the early phases of the American Revolution resulted in the Patriot colonists protesting by citing the Declaration of Rights, and their own militia laws and common law rights to self-defense.
But in this modern day do any of us believe if we showed up with guns in hand trying to over throw our government or a state building or whatever that they would permit that to happen? Come on now. I think we all can admit that that would not be allowed. So in that sense We The People have already had this right as it was intended the right to bare arms has all but been gutted and revoked.
So lets compare what the term "A well regulated Militia" was back then verses what it is today. Back during the time of America being born A "well regulated militia", meant every able bodied and armed man who was not in the Army whose help could be requested in a time of danger. The adjective 'well-regulated' implies nothing more than the imposition of proper discipline and training and adequately regulated. But now many people say that the purported right of the people to keep and bear arms MUST be infringed. If it is not regulated (or infringed upon), because people stock piling arms and ammo and other such military equipment does not equate to , or even meet the definition of a militia as intended by our founding fathers. Multitudes would actually argue that they are directly undermining and threatening the security of the state and the right to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" which is a well-known phrase in the United States Declaration of Independence. The phrase gives three examples of the "unalienable rights" which the Declaration says have been given to all human beings by their Creator, and which governments are created to protect. We hold these truths to be sacred & undeniable; that all men are created equal & independent, that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent & inalienable, among which are the preservation of life, & liberty, & the pursuit of happiness;
So where does that leave the modern day definition of a militia?
There are great points from the above links. They offer up great ideologies and even greater conspiracies that surround and abound on all sides of this argument. But how does 4 or 5 guys playing soldiers in the woods with their military attire equate to a well regulated militia? And who is regulating them? What are the training hours needed? These are valid questions in my views. But the availability of the masses just going and buying what ever they want and at any amount is just scary as hell. With no I.D. no background checks just by handing them money. I hear that it is my "God Given right" I have to say that I would think that Any God would not agree with that statement. I find that this is a last link to really give the real life look at what it means to be an American that owns guns. It shows just how easy it is right now in Florida . I know that without some better ways to deal with reducing gun violence and the owning of these assault riffles and still honoring the 2nd Amendment : America will continue to see these horrific killings. It seems strange that most of the laws that have been passed or enacted have all but been neutered by loop holes and by lobbyist with the full backing of the N.R.A. Or out right removed by the swipe of Trumps pen. To continue to do nothing because the "bad guys" will get them any way, is not a acceptable answer anymore. I found this vice t.v. peice to show just what we as Americans are really up agaist.
But in this day and age of mass shootings theses issues need to be looked into. But I don't think at this point anyone will be happy with whatever is implemented or enacted. However to do nothing is not the answer and at what a high cost?
sources: https://www.bing.com/images/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution
https://youtube.com
https://vicetv.com
I totally disagree with you. You outlaw guns, only the outlaws have them. A psychopath doesn't need a gun to kill a lot of ppl. A psychopath can mow down crowds of people with a truck or car, a bomb can be made with stuff found around your garage. You can't legislate evil. You want to give too much power to the government and I don't. Our guns are the reason we are free. The MOST gun crimes in America happen in the strictest gun states. You stop bad guys with guns, by having good guys with them. Murder is illegal, yet these psychos aren't abiding by those laws either, you can't stop ppl from getting their hands on illegal shit, ask any junkie.
Yes I here those same thoughts repeated. So I think that you might want to think about it like this. Any one can speed in their car or drive in the HOVC lanes . But we still have laws and restrictions against it right ? So even though you can their are consequences if you do. So no one is say take all the guns. What is needed is to stop people from getting their hands on these type guns with no background checks, like buying from a gun show or from an individual. We need wait times, W need if you beat your spouse or kids or are in a criminal court case you don't get the chance to have a gun. We need to make it a requirement that every gun owner go get a physical and a mental check up yearly just like we do for driving with a CDL or other endorsements. If you are mentally ill then you loose your rights to have a gun. Look you and I both know your not going squirrel hunting with a M-16 or an AR. Theses guns do not need to be issued to civilians . There are men and women coming home from the service with PDSD and other issues. they do not need access to a military style weapon anymore. And I agree with you that a psychopath can use a car or a truck. But the cities immediately enacted barriers so help prevent those things from happening again. So that is what is needed more regulations. More safe guards. Again the second amendment states "A well regulated Militia" that's is just what is needed regulations, more training and much stricter gun laws. leaving it like it is of self governing and self regulations is just not working. The idea that an 18 year old can buy an AR but you have to be 21 to buy a 38 special is wrong. I would ask what were your thoughts about the video's that are in my article? At some point you and I as gun owners must do the right thing and say that we are not protecting or hunting with theses type of guns. It is time for us to set up and say enough is enough. Thank you for your comments but I am not convince that you read and watched everything I wrote and posted about. But the idea that people will break the laws if they want to so no laws are needed or will work , just ask any junkie: Is a cop-out. So what's next no laws on rape because hey guys are stronger and will do it any way or she was wearing a short skirt so she should have known that that gives this guy the right to do it. Or how about pedophiles hey no laws for them either. They just have no impulse control so we all should just say it's ok go be a little league coach because if he wants access to a kid he will do it anyway. We shouldn't have laws to help us or have background checks because he will find a way to get access to a child. Do you see how crazy your argument is? You are 100% correct we will not stop everyone but adding these regulations and new laws on age limits or magazine sizes , or restriction on bump stocks and the likes might stop that 1. Additionally these new laws could weed out bad cops. If they have domestic abuse charges then no guns. They get a desk job, or a meter maid assignment. I have never been more proud of the American youth. These young people are right on the edge of becoming some of the most educated and plugged in voters in a very long time. These laws will happen changes are inevitable. As gun owners and as hunters we know that these style guns are for show and for "fun" we are not going to be less safe without them in our gun cases. Stop thinking that only psychopaths are the ones doing these killings for the most part it is angry white men and boys. And that is not meant to come off a racist or sexist it is just the facts. Young black men sure maybe going their fair share of killings but they tend to use pistols. You going to be kewl when gang member say they are a militia and not a gang. And start roaming our streets with Assault riffles? Or how about the KKK are you ok with them walking the streets with these guns because the are Americans and it is their God Given Right to shoot people that are not? So we need no laws to prevent theses type of people from owning and using these weapons? Sounds kind of dumb doesn't it?
The 2nd Amendment has nothing to do with hunting animals or protecting your home from intruders. The 2nd Amendment is designed to protect us from terrony. I know that things have been very cushy here in America and it seems radical that something like fascism or communism could take over this county, but it can easily if we take away the right to bare arms. I don't think psycho has an age limit, look at the shooter in Vegas, what law would have stopped him? Even the law called murder, didn't stop that asshole psychopath from killing 50 ppl. Also, that school was a gun free zone, just another law broken. Why don't these psychopathic men follow laws? If you make drugs illegal in the US and have extremely tough laws against drug usage, will this fix the drug problem we have here in the US? My point is, the only people being affected by gun laws and drug laws are the good men and women who follow laws. If the government decided they were the ones in charge of this counry and came into your home to take your land, you are only left what you've regulated yourself with to protect yourself from them. I bet they're going to have weapons far greater than you. You're only putting yourself in that position. The government works for us, not the other way around. One last thing, last night, they said on the news, that an armed cop showed up to that school before all those kids were killed and he froze. You're counting on someone like this to save our kids. Get rid of the signs, give staff weapons and have better security. Don't be a victim.
I understand your point but I do not believe bringing guns into our school is the answer. And if you think eminent domain does not still happen in our county you are just not staying informed. There was an armed policeman on the campus the time of this shooting. A trained armed person. It not only did not deter this kid but he did nothing to stop the carnage. This kid blended in and found his way off campus and away from the seen. Teachers have enough on their plates with out adding on the burden of having to take a student's life. Seems strange how quickly that this administration can find money to arm teachers but not money for school programs or school needs like equipment or after school programs. I have to thank you all for the willingness to have an open adult discussion about these issues. The Steemit community has shown me yet again that there is a place where open honest and respectful debates can happen. Thank you all for this.
I don't think that taking a kids life would go through my head, I think I'd be thinking, I just saved lives by killing a psychopathic killer. I really don't think gun laws would have stopped this kid from killing. He had a history of violence.
Well I think that had the system had all of information what was going on with this youth and had the Baker act that it would have stopped this case. Gov. Scott just came on and said he is going to up the buying age of any gun to 21, reinstating the Baker Act, putting 1/2 billion towards school safety, a 30 day hold on any confiscated guns, no bump stocks and more things. I think this is a great start. He understands that what we have now is just not working. So I applaud him. It is not enough but it is a start.
You can create a homemade bump-stock using a belt and rubber band, a bomb using fertilizer, pcv pipe and nails, or pressure cookers. When they moved the drinking age to 21 here in CO, I was still drinking in high school. Pot is 21 on up here, yet it seems every high school kid either smokes or has smoked at least once under age. Point is, age restrictions don't stop anyone from doing illegal shit. You can't legislate evil. There is NO law that will stop people from killing, I'm sorry. I wish it wasn't so. I have two kids and I hope they are safe in school. One of my kids goes to one of these famous schools that had a shooter and kids died. No law would have stopped the rage.
Folks should have an opportunity to purchase guns and not only for hunting, - for protecting them and their families. Those who have mental problems must be registered to avoid selling them any kind of weapons. The problem is that insane dudes can kill with their fists.
That is not a problem that is a side effect. He can kill one maybe two with his fist till two or three jump him and control him. But with 50 or more rounds that is a whole lot more damage than a crazy guy with his fist. And you are much better off protecting your home with a hand gun or a shot gun than using a riffle. Have the right to purchase a gun for hunting and protection is not in question at all. But no civilian needs the assault riffles. You want to go play with these toys go join the service or SWAT or the reserves. But thank you for responding we need more open discussion about this. Any thoughts on any of the video's that were in my article?
Well, I can shoot well as was trained perfectly. But I am not even a hunter as I hate all kinds of guns, assault rifles, you’re right, not for civilians. But all that propaganda about that North Korea or getting more powerful China military doctrine change minds of some people. Computer game, films, violence are a kind of cartoons for kids. And guys think over getting into a hard to die dude with machineguns, feeling he/she’s a sort of a soldier of fortune.
On the other hand I saw all those lists of killed by terrorist attacks in NY. We ought to be defended on our own as well as by the state we live. Producing weapons has nothing to do with mentally insane persons who can misuse guns, it’s more for creating working places to feed and educate kids. You talk business about selling outlets arm without responsibility. Yeah, there must be a history of who buys and an agreement in buying – selling.
Source: http://www.feelnumb.com/2009/11/19/where-kurt-cobain-purchased-his-shotgun/ “Kurt /Cobain/paid $307.38 and the gun was registered in Carlson name at Kurt’s request because all of his other guns had been confiscated by police.”
Two films about militia show how some people are, I would say, real citizens. In one of your article I read about presidency. Well, a good president. It sounds like a short anecdote. We’ve never had a good president on the entire facet. Mr. Churchill perhaps was but he was the Prime minister, and what is more important a citizen. the great one. Last film is about awful facts however they sound while watching bitter truth.
I have in a playlist. I love your comments but I don't quite follow some of your thoughts. but I think you are in agreeance that laws need to be changed and a background check and wait times need to be the same for all states. Thank you for your comments.