Defending the Right to Self-Defense

The recent spate of mass shootings has prompted President Obama and his allies in Congress to pursue new gun control laws with special urgency. Mr. Obama is correct in sensing that the American people are ready for serious action on this issue, but he is mistaken in thinking that they are in agreement with him regarding the best way to address gun violence in America. His choice to focus exclusively on guns to the virtual exclusion of mental health issues or the role of violence in the media has backfired drastically. Gun sales are at record levels, and supply can hardly keep up with demand. The President might pay lip service to gun rights, but it is obvious that his commitment to the 2nd Amendment is lukewarm at best. The American people sense this, and are responding accordingly.

Perplexing as it may be to the urbane sophisticates of America – the Ivy Leaguers and Upper West Siders and Beltway pundits – the average American cherishes their right to keep and bear arms. Gun ownership goes hand-in-hand with the spirit of rugged individualism that has characterized America since our founding, and in the face of a growing campaign to undermine that spirit, many citizens have begun stockpiling guns and ammunition. And they aren't just buying hunting rifles. Given the nature of their purchases, it is evident that many Americans are determined to arm themselves and their families against a variety of threats. They want the ability to defend themselves from predators like Adam Lanza and James Holmes, from home invasions and carjackings and muggings, and – should the day arrive – from a tyrannical government intent on exerting control over every aspect of American life.

Wisconsin Sheriff David A. Clarke, Jr., recently drew national attention for a radio address urging citizens to take an active role in protecting themselves and their families from evildoers in our society. Like many law enforcement officials across the country he recognizes that for various reasons – both legitimate and otherwise – government alone is not sufficient to protect the American people from harm. It is critical that law abiding, vigilant citizens take steps to protect themselves. "With officers laid off and furloughed," Sheriff Clarke said, "simply calling 911 and waiting is no longer your best option. . . . You could beg for mercy from a violent criminal, hide under the bed, or you can fight back."

People are taking this admonition to heart. As more and more deranged individuals target public places for their violent rampages, more and more individuals are taking measures necessary to protect themselves. The demand for concealed weapons permits is burgeoning. Many seniors, including women, are getting certified. As people witness America's social fabric unraveling before their eyes, they see their government's impotent and misguided response and they are determined to competently execute their right to self-defense.

There's no denying that the problem of gun violence is complex. An increased coarsening of the culture, the depreciation of the value of human life as demonstrated in violent video games and movies, a general loss of respect for the rights of others, the politically-driven mainstreaming of the mentally ill into society (rather than institutionalizing them for the safety of themselves and others), and a failure to stem the flow of illegal weapons into the hands of criminals and the insane – all of these components play a role. There's no way that our government can protect us from all of these threats, and in some cases, it won't protect us from these threats because doing so would jeopardize its cozy relationships with various special interests.

Criminals aren't stupid. They are shrewd and they know how to take advantage of a population that has become complacent and vulnerable. The surest defense against an armed criminal is to be armed yourself. In the end, we the people are responsible for our own safety and that of our families, neighbors, and loved ones – and we have a constitutionally-protected right to the tools necessary to secure that safety.

Sorry but there is nothing in Second Amendment about self- defense-

to bear arms means to "carry arms","to support, to move arms" [Webster, 1887] which means an offensive action, not just sitting there waiting for someone to attack you

- It means to bear arms against tyrants, which is what the founding fathers just went through before those words were written with cannon bursts still echoing in their ears-

...

To bear arms is a term of military offense, i.e. also to aim a weapon at a military taget, by anyone, including civilians, against tryants, which is the intent of the Second Amendment-

The Second Amendment has nothing to do with Self- defense, which does not appear in the Second Amendment, but "Self-Defense" was made up to abrogate and infringe upon the Second Amendment.

In reality, the intent is to bear arms against oppressive governments. And you know it.

The thousands of New England farmers and civilians in the American Revolution who took up their own modern-day arms and rushed to Saratoga did not wait for the Burgoyne to invade Massachusetts and Albany but rushed to take the OFFENSIVE against Gentleman Johhny at SARATOGA,

Au contraire, they did not wait for the British to come to them- they attacked the British.

That is called OFFENSE, not DEFENSE.

The real issue of violence is rooted in animal consciousness among a substantial segment of our population.
Abortion, pornography, welfare, fatherless homes, drugs, homosexuality, official discrimation against religion, Marxist education,and the celebration of violence are some of the causes of increased violence.
Controlling guns will have a substantial effect on the problem by making it more difficult for victims to defend themselves.
Violent crime is lowest where the citizenry is best armed. It is worse where the government confiscates guns. That is the simple truth. Any attempt to take guns out of the hands of citizens increases violence.
It is manifestly obvious that efforts to disarm the general public are intended to promote criminal behavior. Politicians who seek the destruction of our culture are in control of our legislatures, courts and schools. They are the real enemy.

The Second Amendment is also in other pre-U.S. Constitution state constitutions. Some of the state constitutions were used as models for the US Constitution.

The right to bear arms presumes you keep the arms somewhere on your person or property; otherwise if didn`t have it in your possession, your could not bear it [carry it, ]

COMMON SENSE= you cannot bear that which you do not have- a woman cannot bear a child unless she already has the child within her. She carries [bears the child]simple logic-

It means that if you have a weapon in your house you can muster up with a bunch of your neighbors and march on any tyrant. It assumes you have the arms to bear already somewhere on your person or on your property.

viz

[431]" And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That each inhabitant so inlisted shall be furnished with good fire-arms, and that the fire-arms belonging to this Colony, wherever they are, shall be collected and put into the hands of such inlisted inhabitants as have not arms of their own ; and that each inlisted inhabitant that shall provide arms for himself, well fixed with a good bayonet and cartouch box, shall be paid a premium of ten shillings ; and in case such arms are lost by inevitable casualty, such inhabitant providing himself as aforesaid shall be allowed and paid the just value of such arms and implements so lost, deducting only said sum of ten shillings allowed as aforesaid: said premum of ten shillings to be paid as soon as such inhabitant shall provide such arms as aforesaid. That where the aforesaid provision fails, sufficient arms shall be impress'd, compleatly to arm and equip said inhabitants: the said impress to be limited only to the ARMS BELONGING TO HOUSE-HOLDERS AND OTHER PERSONS NOT ON THE MILITIA ROLL; and in case any householder or other person shall voluntarily furnish any inlisted inhabitant, not able to procure arms for himself, with a good, gun, well fixed with a good bayonet and cartouch box, shall have and receive a premium of ten shillings, and in case of loss shall receive the value thereof, deducting the said ten shillings as aforesaid ; and also that every person from whom any gun shiill be impress'd, as aforesaid, shall be paid for the use of such gun the sum of four shillings, and in case of loss shall be paid the just value of such gun, deducting the sum of four shillings aforesaid ; and that a particular account be taken of the arms that may be used, and the same be all apprized by indifferent judges; and that if any inlisted inhabitant through negligence shall lose or damage the arms found for him, as aforesaid, such loss or damage shall be deducted out of his wages." "The public records of the colony of Connecticut [1636-1776",p.418 ===============

Pennsylvania Constitution 1776 XIII. That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and the state; and as standing armies in the time of peace are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be kept up; And that the military should be kept under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power. ===============

Massachusetts Constitution 1780

`Art. XVII. The people have a right to KEEP AND BEAR arms for the common defence.` ==================

Maine Constitution 1820

`KEEP AND BEAR ARMS Section 16. To keep and bear arms. Every citizen has a RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS and this right shall never be questioned.` ========================

Vermont Constitution

`Article 16th. Right to bear arms; standing armies; military power subordinate to civil

That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and the State

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