There have been a lot of debates and opinions regarding the Second
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution; Intellectuals, Supreme Court Justices,
Politicians, Social Activists, Pundits, Radicals and Laymen all have different
opinions. Each of them believes they
are totally correct. To the mind of
the common free thinking American all of them are partially wrong.
The intellectual, legislative, political and social
perspectives are all moot! The radical
pundit and laymen have a much more realistic grasp of the issue. Our founding fathers were shrewd enough to
see that change is the only inevitable outcome for any endeavor. They knew that political forces, changing
lifestyle priorities and personal beliefs were all constantly on the move. Hence the position they found themselves in their
time!
The Amendments were “countermeasures” to the perceived “Big
Government” specter the newly formed “Constitution” represented to the State
Delegates.
The people making decisions at this time in history had
actually lived through an oppressive big government regime that had taken
measures to strip the populace of weapons to prevent uprising and maintain
control. In fact all firearms, powder
and shot purchased in the “colonies” were required to be bought from England through
their designated authorized agent/merchants.
The delegates were determined to prevent this scenario from developing
again.
Personal safety was each citizen’s right and
responsibility. Expansion into the “unsettled
areas” facing unknown threats, wild animals, and putting food on the table for
most were secondary issues, cities and villages were populated, few lived on
the harrowing edge of civilization. Having
a firearm somewhere in the house, ready to be put to use by themselves and/or
their neighbors when necessary to stand up to their unreasonable oppressors was
a major concern.
The weapons in play by the major military forces at that time
were smoothbore muskets wielded by conscripted troops and professional officer
corps who held the bulk of knowledge regarding training and tactics.
The weapons held by citizens were of the same style and in
some cases even better than the conscripted armies were being issued. The argument of “…citizens having military style weapons was never the intention of the
founding fathers…” is therefore undone; because this was EXACTLY the circumstances
they were dealing with at the time.
Different technologies, but still a level playing field!
During the revolutionary war it was actually illegal to
produce weapons in the colonies by order of King George because part of the
justification to tax the colonies so heavily was to provide standing troops to
provide protection. Not much need to
provide protection to armed citizens who have the right and means to protect
themselves. British authorities prevented
the colonists from opening their own gunpowder foundry, and demanded they tally
and report the amount of weapons, shot and powder.
The fears of gun control run deep in Americans who understand
the precious freedoms we enjoy can NOT be guaranteed simply by written words on
a piece of paper; unless forged steel and iron wills stand by to lend their
might. Yes this is a euphemism for
violence, war in fact; let us not pretend.
The Declaration of Independence was a statement to the world
as to why we were preparing for the course of war. The Constitution was a model of reorganized
government after we fought and won the war.
The Amendments to the Constitution were the compromises demanded by the States
to guarantee that their hard fought freedoms could not simply be stripped away
and we wouldn’t end up getting another all powerful, unresponsive, uncaring
ruler.
Some people at the time, fearful of change and unsure of the
future, actually wanted a new “King”.
Some even suggested George Washington be the first “American King” and
he refused the title. The delegates were
concerned that the tendency for people to “…suffer,
while evils are sufferable…”; and they wanted to ensure that we had access as
well as the ability, weapons and supplies necessary to “…throw off such Government…”.
These ideals were plainly listed in the Declaration of Independence.
"We hold these truths
to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed
by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life,
Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving
their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form
of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People
to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation
on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall
seem most likely to affect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed,
will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light
and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind
are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right
themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a
long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object
evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right,
it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards
for their future security.”
These concerns were real at the time, are real now, and were
not just passing whims or desires to shoot at targets for recreation or to
stalk a deer and bring fresh meat to the table.
They feared being bullied by armed troops of an oppressive regime,
(having been down that road for a good while) and being powerless to stand up
for themselves.
Delegates wanted to ensure that the newly formed Constitution
being drafted to set up the new form of government we were to live under had
checks and balances besides the “best intentions” of those actually in
positions of power. The compromises and deals that had to be made so that the
States would sign off and ratify the Constitution were known as the Amendments.
Primarily among the Amendments were the issues of the times:
1st
– Freedom of Speech, Right to Assemble, Freedom to Practice Religion of
Choice
(King George prevented community meetings, pamphlets,
papers, or unfavorable speech)
2nd
– Right to Keep and Bear Arms
(Colonists were prohibited from making weapons or
owning them without authorization)
3rd
– Regarding quartering military troops in civilian dwellings
(Colonists were forced to quarter British troops,
supply food, AND pay taxes for the privilege)
4th-
Right to be secure in Persons and Effects
(Restricted issuance of Search Warrants to be based on
Affidavit and Probable Cause – Blanket authorizations were issued by the King
allowing the search of any person or place at any time)
5th-
Rules regarding conditions for Prosecution
(Cannot be forced to testify against
self, Can’t be tried twice for same offense, etc.)
6th-Right
to Speedy Trial by Jury
(Prosecution to be done in timely
manner, Jury of Peers, Convenient location, etc.)
7th-Right
to Civil Trial by Jury
(Common Law rules applied)
8th-No
Excessive Bail, No Cruel or Unusual Punishment
9th-Rules
for construction of Constitution
10th-States
Rights, Peoples Rights vs. Constitutions Rights
Each
of these issues had relevance to the world they lived in at the time. Each of the first eight amendments had been a
point of abuse or contention for the colonists living under British rule. They had no desire to ever be put in those
situations again. The 9th and
10th Amendments were safeguards against the newly formed government
eroding away the basic liberties and rights they had successfully secured at
the cost of many lives, while risking fortunes and honor.
People
walk softly around the edge of history when discussing these issues because no
one wants to be accused of encouraging or fomenting rebellion or actively attempting
to overthrow the U.S. Government. These
are crimes and nothing herein should be construed to make such an argument. To even talk of overthrowing the government might
land you in jail, that’s not what this blog is about.
This
is about understanding the reasons for the rules that govern us today. These men lived through the bad times; they
suffered under an oppressive regime that didn’t care about anything but
collecting the taxes due and increasing their influence, profits and control.
We
now elect “Representatives” to carry our messages and provide voice to our
concerns among a gathering of our peers.
We do not elect “Leaders” to march us off a cliff or rule our lives
without fear of reprisal for their abuses or actions. We don’t have royalty.
We
have become accustom to an easy life, with tolerable issues we are once again “…disposed to suffer, while evils are
sufferable…” and simply slug away at our dreams. But should ever the day come; God preserve us
that it won’t, but should it ever come; our Founding Fathers wanted to secure
for us the means and an example to follow regarding the proper way to change
the course of our lives should what they had created ever become corrupted or
fall apart.
Get
a firearm, become proficient with it; understand its meaning and impact on
history and our daily lives. Join the NRA. Stand up for our way of life and
remember that people fought and died to secure the rights we take for granted
every day. Know that our Armed Forces
VOLUNTEER to serve this County, thank them every day and add a prayerful thank
you to those who had the guts, the fire, and the forethought long ago to think
of us and help secure our future and that of this great Country at the risk of
their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. Know history or be doomed to repeat it.
Be Aware, Be Prepared, Have a Plan.
The
views and opinions expressed in the Hot Shot Shooting Blog are those of the
author and not the company, corporation, entity or any of the officers,
investors, employees or customers. Basically its freedom of expression
people, covered even before the right to bear arms because it’s more important
than that! If you find something here that is politically correct, rest
assured it’s here by mistake. If you are offended by the content, tone or
opinions of the author, oh well, go read a comic book. Reading a
blog is no substitute for actual training. Everyone is encouraged to
spend as much money on obtaining competent tactical real world training as they
think their life is worth. –The Author.
Questions or
Comments? Info@HotShotShooting.com
