Posted on 04/16/2015 12:53:07 PM PDT by VinL
Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz's argument that the Second Amendment provides the "ultimate check against government tyranny" is a bit too extreme for potential 2016 rival and fellow Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
"Well, we tried that once in South Carolina. I wouldn't go down that road again," Graham said, in an apparent reference to the Civil War. "I think an informed electorate is probably a better check than, you know, guns in the streets."
Speaking to a few reporters near the Senate floor Thursday, Graham was answering questions from TPM about the Texas firebrand and presidential candidate's argument made in a fundraising email that the Second Amendment confers a right to revolt against the government.
"The 2nd Amendment to the Constitution isn't for just protecting hunting rights, and it's not only to safeguard your right to target practice. It is a Constitutional right to protect your children, your family, your home, our lives, and to serve as the ultimate check against governmental tyranny -- for the protection of liberty," Cruz wrote in the email Thursday, with the subject line "2nd Amendment against tyranny."
Graham demurred. "I'm not looking for an insurrection. I'm looking to defeat Hillary," he said. "We're not going to out-gun her."
While a consistent supporter of gun rights, Graham voiced a more mainstream legal view of the Second Amendment, as the Supreme Court first articulated in the landmark 2008 case District of Columbia v. Heller, that individuals have a right to possess a firearm for lawful self-defense.
"I think the Second Amendment allows people to protect their homes and their property and be secure in their persons," the senator said. "I think in a democracy the best check on government is voter participation. I think the First Amendment probably protects us more there."
JAG@$$...
Because knowing that your vote has been rendered meaningless by torrents of handouts and waves of immigration really helps a whole lot.
First test for Cruz.
Take out Linda or he will have McCain’s GF yapping at his heals for the next 2 years.
The vote assures nothing.
How this IckWad could think he could be a Presidential contender is beyond reason. Cruz is his main target. That tells who he really thinks is ahead.
If anyone needed more proof this idiot is just another out of touch inside the beltway big government clown.
Gee, really Ms. Grahamnesty?
So you're saying that the Revolution was a road we don't want to go down again?
You do know that's what he was talking about, right Linda?
Right?
what a goose...
Notice how effectively he informs the electorate. Not.
If there were an informed electorate, Lindsay Graham wouldn't be in office.
This is a real rino attack, not only for the obvious, but it contributes to the language of the left against a core GOP position, 2nd amendment rights.
There is a way for republicans to attack each other without it helping the media anti-GOP themes.
This is where these asshats have it backwards. I don't think Graham knows the difference between the Civil War and the Revolutionary War. The Revolutionary War was a direct result of an "informed electorate" even before there was a national (federal) electorate.
Gayham can go to hell. He’s irrelevant. His potshots prove it
Graham would oppose the Revolutionary War I guess.
Homo-fruit. Go ahead Linda. Just get it over with and jump parties. We won’t mind
Tyrants never appreciate armed insurrections.
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