Framed in muskets

Leesville Daily Leader ^ | 23 May, 2008 | John Simeone

[marktwain]

From my cold dead hands,”...Charlton Heston

The next time you look at the American Flag waving proud and free over at the courthouse, or perhaps the short time it takes to put your hand over your heart at a sporting event, you may very well ask yourself this question.

How did this all come about, and what lets it endure?

We know about the history of how the Pilgrims broke away from religious persecution to colonize a New World, and there the motivation lies.

The founding fathers drew up the plans for a new nation under the pretence of freedom of the people by the people, rather than the rule of an aristocracy, a tall order at the time.

This was a true work of genius that endures the test of time, as if carved in stone and sent down the mountain.

Therefore, we the people of the United States of America are free. In this day and time so willfully taken for granted by many, the next question is ominously simple. How do we keep it?

This idea of freedom of the people is not well taken with those who would oppress the common man. Jealousies and animosities abound with those who disagree with our way of life, which has, for better and for worse, developed into the most powerful nation in the world, as well as the most envied. As stated by the insight of the forefathers, this opposition is both foreign and domestic.

To the amazement of our adversaries, those who oppose or disagree are allowed to speak freely within our borders, as well as everyone else. Through this we learn rather than to silence. Then we can write about it, walk with our head up with equality, trade freely and go home and pray to our god.

And when we get home, we can be secure.

Why? Because behind every kitchen door, under a cash register, near a night table or another quick and handy place lies the reason. Plain and simple, we are armed to the last man.

Some, of course, are of the belief this is unwise and uncivilized, never considering the alternative. Recent history in my lifetime confirms that a few firearms in the right place have more overly deterred domestic crimes more than they have caused them.

A little insight will tell you no nation on the face of the earth could invade the United States conventionally, due to the personal arms of the people. Terrorists may try, but if you will notice, only in areas with the strictest of gun control in place.

It would seem the idea of gun control is the Achilles heel of the United States rather than a deterrent of crime. No doubt we do pay a toll in people committing crimes with guns, but we have paid a far greater price in the lives of Americans keeping this nation and other nations free.

Lest we not forget Great Britain, who begged us for weapons during World War II, because they had disarmed their people.

In the famous speech of Winston Churchill, “We will fight them in the Valleys,” he later stated candidly, “We will fight them with broom sticks, for that is all we have.”

Now Australia and Canada follows in this concept like sheep as if they know they have merely to ask the United States when a security problem arises.

The Japanese thought twice about invading the west coast due to the armament of the people of the United States and certainly any present day Terrorist organization must take this into consideration greatly. The armed citizens of the United States are the sleeping giants with terrible resolve.

The famous outdoor columnist Robert Ruark wrote, “If a man does away with his traditional way of living and throws away his good customs, he had better first make certain that he has something of value to replace them.”

Wise words indeed. We have nothing more valuable than our freedom. If we throw away our guns that protect us, so goes our traditional way of living, and there is nothing of such value to replace it.

This taking for granted is detrimental in itself, as many young people have not been motivated to patriotism, they just take this freedom thing as given and go on about their business.

History has a way of remedying this attitude with a shock treatment, as with Pearl Harbor and 9-11, but so soon we forget.

Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion are the mainstay, to keep this hollowed document alive.

There is no doubt that Charlton Heston was right when he said, "The Constitution is framed in muskets by the second amendment."

So the next time you take down Old Betsy from the pegs over the fireplace for a hunting trip, remember.

Just owning a firearm is one of the great freedoms and privileges guaranteed by the Constitution. Then clearly imagine what this country would be without the freedoms that the gun secures.

The spirits of every patriot, pioneer and every soldier that fought and died for the freedom of this country down through the ages whispers ever quietly to the citizens when they look at that flag, "Never give up your guns."

Pass it on.

John Simeone is an outdoors writer for Louisiana Road Trips Magazine, along with being a member of the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association. He can be reached by e-mail at fptopgun@bellsouth.net.

[William Tell]

Thanks for the link.

I am hoping that the Heller decision will be 7-2 in favor an individual right and striking down all of the challenged DC laws as unConstitutional under any level of scrutiny.

That will kick the can down the road as to whether the right is "fundamental" and what level of scrutiny applies. (Obviously, it wouldn't be in the Bill of Rights if it weren't a fundamental right.)

The Hayes case I would predict should be decided as an unConstitutional ex-post-facto law and the nature of the Second Amendment won't be a factor.

[ZULU]

Truly an excellent piece for the time of the calendar.

[TYVets]

The Japanese thought twice about invading the west coast due to the armament of the people of the United States,,,

"It is impossible to invade the mainland of The United States, there would be a rifle behind every blade of grass." WWII Japanese Admiral Yamamoto (mastermind of the attack on Pearl Harbor)