Any time a firearms-related thread is created on FreeRepublic, please be sure to add the "banglist" keyword to it so that interested FReepers don't miss it.
Let Freedom Ring,
Posted on 11/15/2005 10:02:32 PM PST by Coral Snake
2A for CA by Jennifer Freeman
Citizens of San Francisco recently voted to ban the possession, manufacture, distribution, sale and transfer of handguns and ammunition within their city. They have voluntarily stripped themselves of their Second Amendment rights and they have forcefully removed the rights of other citizens who disagree with their position. And while people across the country may have found this shocking, there are a number of ex-Californians who are not surprised in the least as banning firearms represents an integral element of the "progressive" movement as it strides toward a Communist regime.
The National Rifle Association and Second Amendment Foundation have filed suit citing the un-Constitutionality, and therefore illegality, of the ban. A case that will be appealed all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, if we're lucky. Here's where things get interesting. In 2003, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (in San Francisco) ruled against the people in Silveira v. Lockyer claiming that the Second Amendment did not "afford rights to individuals with respect to private gun ownership or possession". In 2001, however, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals (in New Orleans) ruled that the Second Amendment does apply to individuals (U.S. v. Emerson). Both cases were submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court, but neither were accepted by the Court for review. So here we have two courts of equal standing with diametrically opposing viewpoints on the issue of personal firearm ownership.
The problem does not really lie with the courts, however. It lies with the people. Our rights are not granted by the courts or any government entity. Nor are they granted by the whims of the misguided and potentially mentally ill residents of San Francisco. They are endowed by our Creator and acknowledged as such in the Bill of Rights. It is not enough to have these rights if the citizens refuse to claim them. If Californians sleep through this issue -- if they let it slide -- you can expect more of this across the state and eventually the nation. People who think it "can't happen here" also need to consider what they are willing to do to defeat such a measure. Think about it very seriously because it will happen if your fellow Americans continue to do nothing.
The Alliance for Civil Rights is working on an initiative that would create a Second Amendment for California. This is an excellent way to send a message to Sacramento and Washington D.C., while simultaneously nullifying San Francisco's handgun ban. Californians can get this initiative on the ballot and win, but it will take a serious effort from the people of that state. This means donating money, donating time, gathering signatures, giving speeches, writing articles, and calling in to radio shows. It means getting active and reaching out to those who support the Second Amendment but might not be involved with the gun-rights movement. It means going beyond the gun show. This can only be accomplished with a collective effort of California residents.
If California is able to successfully execute a peaceful revolution and reclaim their gun-rights, they will make history and set a precedent for the entire country. Let's see what they can do.
Jennifer Freeman is Executive Director and co-founder of Liberty Belles, a grass-roots organization dedicated to restoring and preserving the Second Amendment. http://www.libertybelles.org jennifer@libertybelles.org
SF in 20 years = France
Any time a firearms-related thread is created on FreeRepublic, please be sure to add the "banglist" keyword to it so that interested FReepers don't miss it.
Let Freedom Ring,
Criminals from all over the country will probably be rushing to SF to turn in their guns.....
Yup. Watch those elitist lib's in San Fran that do own guns move them out to their multi million dollar mansions in the suburbs of San Franfreako. Its a damm shame that some of our fellow americans are being disarmed.
To the handfull of people in San Fran that love freedom and guns, you might want to consider migrating to the United States.
can you still own a shotgun in this city?
You can own one but NOT sell it or get ammo for it in the city. The full ban is only for handguns.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.