Posted on 07/11/2009 2:06:26 AM PDT by Schnucki
The Second Amendment refers to the right of citizens to keep and bear arms as part of a “well regulated Militia”. As gun dealer Cliff Hunter pointed out to me today, the Bill of Rights doesn’t mention the use of guns for self defence. But it’s surely hard for anyone not to cheer when they hear the tale of a legally armed American taking out two armed robbers.
That’s what happened here in Memphis on Wednesday afternoon when a travelling jewellery salesman (sounds like a hazardous occupation to me), with a legal concealed carry permit from Alabama, was approached by four men intending to rob him.
At least two of them men were armed and the odds weren’t good for the salesman. But he managed to shoot and critically injure two of them, sending the other two scuttling into their white Ford Fusion and fleeing the scene.
While in Memphis, we did a story about gun sales soaring since the election of Barack Obama last November. To put it mildly, the gun lobby does not trust the new president.
The owners of the two gun shops we visited were elated at the jewellery salesman’s actions. “I love it,” said Hunter, of Tommy Bronson Sporting Goods in Memphis. “If more of that would happen, crime would stop. He had a permit. He had an appointment. Somebody had an inside tip on that.
“They jumped him and he had a gun and he cleaned house. You put that in the newspaper four or five times a year and it’ll slow crime down. Usually they put them in the jail and turn them out. You start getting bullets flying and it’ll stop.”
Jay Hill of Classic
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.telegraph.co.uk ...
is this Toby Hamden night?
Anyway, I post what I'm reading at the moment and hope that it's interesting to others here. Sorry if it's a flood of the same author, but each of these were surprisingly kind and encouraging.
New Hampshire Law
RSA 627:4 Physical Force in Defense of a Person.
II. A person is justified in using deadly force upon another person when he reasonably believes that such other person:
(a) Is about to use unlawful, deadly force against the actor or a third person;
(b) Is likely to use any unlawful force against a person present while committing or attempting to commit a burglary;
(c) Is committing or about to commit kidnapping or a forcible sex offense; or
(d) Is likely to use any unlawful force in the commission of a felony against the actor within such actor’s dwelling or its curtilage.
Getaway cars just aren’t what they used to be.
By and large, the interpretation of "security of a free State," is accepted as referring to military defense, and in modern times that military threat is thought of as being external.
But to look at the situation of the 18th century, there were other, internal threats. Without going into the historical dissection of taking land away from the original inhabitants (another discussion for another thread, perhaps), Native Americans posed ongoing hazards to settlers living in outlying areas. The Founders fully realized independent farmers could not wait for help to arrive to defend their families -- they needed guns readily at hand.
Likewise, a "free State", and the way in which a free State protects rights, provides a lot of latitude for people who will operate outside the law before they are caught. I believe the Founders understood that there would be times when honest citizens would need to protect themselves against the predations of such criminals, without time to wait for law enforcement to arrive.
Looks like a U.S. crime. Why would we want to read about it in a U.K. news article?
Someone needs to tell this guy about Heller.
The salesman had a legal weapon and used it to protect his livelihood and maintain law and order. He also made sure that two armed robbers were taken out of circulation, possibly permanently. And perhaps some of their fellow criminals will think again next time.Protect his livelihood? Maintain law and order? How about PROTECT HIMSELF???
Interesting that the writer left out the number one reason to own a gun: to save your own life and the lives of your family.
I feel just the opposite. I'd much rather read about it from a UK pointy of view. The outside view suggests how rare and valuable the Second Amendment is.
According to the Dick Act, you are a member of the militia if male, and between 17 and 45, or if you had military training to age 65, unless you are President, Vice President, or a government official.
Women to become part of the militia need to join the national guard.
Title 10, Section 311.
I am actually in favor of no police for a few years. Let the scum surface and let the citizens ‘thin out the gene pool’.
Dammit! I’m too old to be a dick? Or am I still young enough to be a dick, just too old to be a militia member? Can I be a “member” without being a dick? If I can’t be a “dick” or a “member”, can I still join the militia?
I’m so confused! Too many rules for us old guys!
Love That Headline. Stupid Brits.
It’s a blog, not a local news article. ;) Toby is traveling through the U.S. and reporting on what he observes.
Why try to understand US news by reading a Limey? As stupid as being forced in some stupid college course like “Western Civilization”, trying to understand our own country by reading crap written by Alexis de Tocqueville.
What a great way to spend the time, fall semester, 1965, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 7:30 to 8:30 AM. Now, how could I hate the French after that exposure to their worst writers?
It's part of the common law of England and the law throughout the history of mankind that a man ha the right to defend himself. The drafters of the constitution "naturally" knew that so there was no reason to put it in.
The founders also recognized the need to defend oneself from tyrannical government.
True, that comes across in separate writings, and could be inferred from the 'security' aspect of maintaining a respectful government, thereby ensuring the security of a free (democratic) State.
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