By Samuel Strait, Reporter at Large – February 28, 2021 – Picture credit to Soundcloud.com
The Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America is as clear in its meaning now as it was when it became the law of the land. It reads as follows:
“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.”
Unfortunately many Americans, our representatives, and many of our leaders, wish to give a meaning to this statement. There is nothing in the wording that talks about anything other than their concern that a disarmed citizenry could not defend themselves against a tyrannical government that imperiled a free state.
It is not about hunting, sports shooting, target shooting, or even the
gun violence that has occurred since the amendment was ratified. It is
not about self defense or any other form of the use of arms. The men
who made up the group known as the “framers” were concerned about the evolution of the Federal or even State governments that had clearly
overstepped their constitutional authority. While citizens may look at
various authorities that the Federal Government has assumed over the
nearly two and a half centuries of existence, many are unconstitutional. They may seem benign, yet that does not excuse the Federal Government of its actions.
What may seem benign for many, it may appear to other citizens as a
government that no longer represents its citizens by its over reach.
The Second Amendment became part of the United States Constitution to
address such over reach by the Federal Government should it become
tyrannical. It allowed the citizenry to be armed and form militias as a
check on Federal power. The framers understood that there should be no
limits on what “armed” meant. Clearly knowing that as the Country grew
and developed, the citizenry must grow and develop, including how they
were armed. They had faith that an educated and personally responsible
citizenry would be able to oppose any effort by the Federal government
to over step.
It is unfortunate that the population of the United State has in many
ways forsaken that responsibility, both from a personal responsibility
stand point and an educational one as well. No one wishes for an armed
conflict to commence within the United States, but the Second Amendment allows for that to happen should it be determined by an armed well regulated militia. The Constitution of the United States has in many ways constructed a significant number of checks and balances in its
text. The Second Amendment is the final check on the Federal Government should it become necessary. Various federal gun control efforts are unconstitutional. Most State efforts are as well. It is irresponsible to suggest that the penultimate restraint on Federal and State power should be harnessed in any way. The Second Amendment is not meant as a frivolous part of the constitution, but a serious last resort to check the power of our Federal Government.
Many well-founded points were put-forward regarding protection of the 2nd Amendment. However, the formation of militias is another matter entirely.
Most Military Veterans will agree that war is a very grave decision. All other avenues of resolution should be pursued prior to armed conflict.
The formation of armed militias in Del Norte County or Crescent City is a poor notion. Our local collection of sorry, lazy, dim-witted buffoons do not even bother getting off their dead-asses to attend public meetings and voice their opinions. Before the pandemic closed a lions-share of local businesses, I could understand their lack of involvement. However, most are locked in their homes and no longer have an excuse for lack of local political involvement.
Yes, I will agree that the second amendment is worth fighting for. The second amendment is worth dying for. However, I sincerely question the resolve of this community to act. Actions speak louder than words. I have no reason to believe that our local collection of couch-potatoes will rise to the occasion as “Minutemen” with gun-in-hand when they cannot be bothered to attend public meetings. They are going to risk their lives, when they cannot risk public ridicule?
Del Norte County and Crescent City have been dominated for many years by drunks, druggies, whores, hustlers, gamblers, beggars, thieves, ne’er-do-wells, miscreants, and professional sycophants, toadies, and cronies looking for a hand-out. Why? Because these parasites depend on a corrupt government to care for their every need and desire.
Our elected officials and government managers hail from the local human cesspool of high school popularity contests, and are incessantly catering to the desires of the bullies that ran their schoolyard. They lack the spine and intelligence to recognize white collar organized crime. They are part of a gang. “Outsiders” who act honestly and ethically and are unfortunate enough to be elected into office are either set-up or destroyed by rumor.
Those few conservatives who support Constitutional Rights are shouted down or totally ignored at every public meeting. Why? Their asses are out hanging in the wind because most other conservatives are laying on their couches and watching TV instead of getting involved!
No, militias are a poor idea for Del Norte County or Crescent City. Anybody getting involved in such an activity should be extremely careful about who they trust.
JMC
The Second Amendment is the most IMPORTANT Amendment that WE the PEOPLE have to protect our INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS. It is our last Resort to CHECK on the POWER of our FEDERAL GOVERNMENT! AMEN!