There were lots of versions of the second amendment before this one’s language made its way into our Bill of Rights:
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.
Lately, there’s been lots of commentary about what this really means and what it gives us the right to do. The Left says the 2nd amendment is antiquated (and thanks to their indoctrination and the backing of the liberal media, most kids under 24 believe that the 2nd Amendment is about toting around muskets) while the Right screams “Infringment!” at gun ban posturing and proclaims that Jefferson must be rolling over in his grave. To make matters worse, the 24-hour news cycle is picking up every gun violence story they can get their hands on, adding fuel and fodder to the political tug-of-war.
Across America, gun rights are becoming a highly polarizing issue.
What we find is missing from the political and social dialog is just some good-old-fashioned common sense.
So, let’s throw out history. Let’s throw out our current politics. Let’s do
away with all the if’s and but’s. Back off the emotionally charged super-storms surrounding the murderous activities of deranged individuals.
And answer this simple question: Do you feel that you have a right to defend yourself?
If you answered “no,” well, you’ve got some self-worth issues to deal with.
Common sense says that the answer to that question should always be YES.
Everyone has a basic human right to defend themselves, their loved ones, and their property. With specific regard to the Second Amendment, we have the right to defend ourselves from tyrannical government. In that light, the Second Amendment is about being Free; even more so, we would argue, than the First Amendment is.
We enjoy the First Amendment because it is literally backed by the Second.
Now, answer a second question: Are you free if you can’t defend yourself?
Negative.
Just as there are three main branches to our government that serve to check-and-balance each other, we have a check-and-balance system as a populace by being able to keep and bear arms necessary to defending our free state. Many people could find that statement ridiculous… would we ever really need to protect ourselves from our own government? Could they really ever over-reach that far? (cough *NSA* cough)
We don’t know… But if you know someone with a working crystal ball, please advise.
Until that happens, we’re sticking to our guns (and keeping our freedom), thank you very much. For if History is a tool to be gleaned from, we would prefer not to be the Soviet Union of 1929, the Germany of 1938, the Turkey of 1915, the China of 1948, or
the Chicago of present day.
Yes... Chicago. Chicago has the toughest gun laws, and yet has the highest gun violence. Hmmmmmmmmm. We wonder why the thugs in Chicago aren’t playing by the rules. Oh wait. That’s right. They’re thugs. And they know most people aren’t armed against them. Go figure.
“Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed.” – Noah Webster
In regards to the “well regulated militia” portion of the Second Amendment’s language, it would seem that the general population has accepted the most misconstrued interpretation; that being that the language describes a government regulated militia for the means of defending the state. Nothing could be further from what the Founding Fathers intended. When the Founding Fathers used that language– “a well regulated militia” - they intended it to imply an orderly group of armed citizens.
Again, here’s a missing piece of the dialog out there: it’s not enough to be a gun owner. It’s not enough to say “I have a gun, therefore I am free.”
No way.
We, as gun owners, need to be the well regulated militia. It's about accepting the responsibility to regulate ourselves – to keep ourselves in order. That means choosing firearms that suit our needs, getting consistent training in using those firearms, and making intelligent choices with gear and tactics that help keep us safe. It’s also about speaking up as an orderly, well-kept group - working together to help educate others and to defend our rights with honor and decorum. Otherwise, the alternative could be that “well regulated” will end up reeking of Federal Government involvement.
The right to owning a firearm is an amazing gift...
but we have to accept the burdens that come with keeping it.
We encourage you to seek training, and seek out groups that can offer support and opportunities to practice with your firearm.
Stay Safe, Train Often.
-Hex Team
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.
Lately, there’s been lots of commentary about what this really means and what it gives us the right to do. The Left says the 2nd amendment is antiquated (and thanks to their indoctrination and the backing of the liberal media, most kids under 24 believe that the 2nd Amendment is about toting around muskets) while the Right screams “Infringment!” at gun ban posturing and proclaims that Jefferson must be rolling over in his grave. To make matters worse, the 24-hour news cycle is picking up every gun violence story they can get their hands on, adding fuel and fodder to the political tug-of-war.
Across America, gun rights are becoming a highly polarizing issue.
What we find is missing from the political and social dialog is just some good-old-fashioned common sense.
So, let’s throw out history. Let’s throw out our current politics. Let’s do
away with all the if’s and but’s. Back off the emotionally charged super-storms surrounding the murderous activities of deranged individuals.
And answer this simple question: Do you feel that you have a right to defend yourself?
If you answered “no,” well, you’ve got some self-worth issues to deal with.
Common sense says that the answer to that question should always be YES.
Everyone has a basic human right to defend themselves, their loved ones, and their property. With specific regard to the Second Amendment, we have the right to defend ourselves from tyrannical government. In that light, the Second Amendment is about being Free; even more so, we would argue, than the First Amendment is.
We enjoy the First Amendment because it is literally backed by the Second.
Now, answer a second question: Are you free if you can’t defend yourself?
Negative.
Just as there are three main branches to our government that serve to check-and-balance each other, we have a check-and-balance system as a populace by being able to keep and bear arms necessary to defending our free state. Many people could find that statement ridiculous… would we ever really need to protect ourselves from our own government? Could they really ever over-reach that far? (cough *NSA* cough)
We don’t know… But if you know someone with a working crystal ball, please advise.
Until that happens, we’re sticking to our guns (and keeping our freedom), thank you very much. For if History is a tool to be gleaned from, we would prefer not to be the Soviet Union of 1929, the Germany of 1938, the Turkey of 1915, the China of 1948, or
the Chicago of present day.
Yes... Chicago. Chicago has the toughest gun laws, and yet has the highest gun violence. Hmmmmmmmmm. We wonder why the thugs in Chicago aren’t playing by the rules. Oh wait. That’s right. They’re thugs. And they know most people aren’t armed against them. Go figure.
“Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed.” – Noah Webster
In regards to the “well regulated militia” portion of the Second Amendment’s language, it would seem that the general population has accepted the most misconstrued interpretation; that being that the language describes a government regulated militia for the means of defending the state. Nothing could be further from what the Founding Fathers intended. When the Founding Fathers used that language– “a well regulated militia” - they intended it to imply an orderly group of armed citizens.
Again, here’s a missing piece of the dialog out there: it’s not enough to be a gun owner. It’s not enough to say “I have a gun, therefore I am free.”
No way.
We, as gun owners, need to be the well regulated militia. It's about accepting the responsibility to regulate ourselves – to keep ourselves in order. That means choosing firearms that suit our needs, getting consistent training in using those firearms, and making intelligent choices with gear and tactics that help keep us safe. It’s also about speaking up as an orderly, well-kept group - working together to help educate others and to defend our rights with honor and decorum. Otherwise, the alternative could be that “well regulated” will end up reeking of Federal Government involvement.
The right to owning a firearm is an amazing gift...
but we have to accept the burdens that come with keeping it.
We encourage you to seek training, and seek out groups that can offer support and opportunities to practice with your firearm.
Stay Safe, Train Often.
-Hex Team
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