Posted on 03/31/2010 5:25:00 AM PDT by marktwain
Dear editor,
House Bill 408, a bill now moving through the Alaska Legislature, should be strongly opposed by all Alaskans, regardless of party affiliation. The intent of this bill is that of restoring the gun rights of non-violent felons who have paid their dues to society. If this bill passes, these ex-felons will be allowed to purchase and carry firearms and even to obtain concealed carry permits.
Those who know me, or have read my numerous letters to the editor, or have seen or heard me testify in favor of the right to keep and bear arms at Borough Assembly meetings or at teleconferences at the Legislative Information Office know how passionately I believe in the individual rights that the Second Amendment protects against the government’s ever- increasing encroachment on our freedoms. And some of those who know me may be surprised that I am now taking this stance.
I have, in fact, always fought for the gun rights of law-abiding citizens. Ex-felons may have paid their dues, but they showed in the past that they couldn’t or wouldn’t abide by the law. They may be reformed — or not. The right to keep and bear arms, and especially the right to carry concealed weapons, must be reserved for those above suspicion, those whose past is clean and irreproachable.
If this bill were to pass, Alaska would receive a gigantic black eye: We’d be known as the state that allows felons to be armed. Furthermore, the 37 other states that in the name of reciprocity now honor Alaska concealed carry permits would no longer allow Alaska citizens in transit or on vacation to carry their guns within their state lines. Alaska has nothing to gain from this bill, and everything to lose. Please let our legislators hear your voice speak loudly and clearly on this issue: No armed felons in this state!
The writer is hysterical and hysterically wrong.
If an individual has paid their debt to society; not on parole, not a “good behavior” situation but the full debt to society, full rights should be granted. But I was under the impression all rights were bestowed by God?
I would have to disagree. I did a stretch in prison but luckily once I was done with my parole my father worked tirelessly and called in a few markers and got me a full pardon. I got ALL of my rights restored. But I honestly feel that that the right to vote and right to bear arms are so precious that they should not be denied to anyone. Once a man is done with his sentence and has met the conditions of his parole he should no longer be denied the rights bestowed on all Americans.
Not to quibble my good man, but Rights are bestowed on all persons not just Americans.
Best,
L
I smell A RAT.
SOMETHING is wierdly wrong with these comments about the proposed change in legislation.
It should only go concurrent with voting rights. In addition, it should also only be allowed for those who have a job, are keeping it and stay out of trouble.
I’m sorry, but once you commit a felony I do hold you to a higher standard. I imagine in Alaksa it wouldn’t be a problem because they don’t have bad crime problems and an entire professional welfare class but where I’m from we do and I’d prefer if the welfare class felons not be able to go armed again when they come out of prison to collect more government checks.
While this person showed how stupid and moronic he is the addition of several levels of felonies by our politicians is to not only shut down free speech, heinous or not, but to make sure that everything becomes a Felony so as to disarm the population without having to attack the 2nd Amendment.
Sure, let the felons have guns and then make it open season on them when they get out of line. Post rewards (higher if dead) for them, have their faces all over TV, show the world who their parents are, etc.
Then relax the gun laws for the law-abiding so they can take care of the problem the big business of the criminal justice system only wants to propagate in order to ensure job security.
“should be allowed”????? You mean by the great and almighty government???
It's really quite simple.
All those words we call 'laws' WON'T stop someone from getting a gun if they really want one.
Anyone who has repaid their debt to society and is willing to jump through all the legalistic hoops to prove their intentions DESERVES to do so, IMHO.
Full rights, have to be restored or else you are living a life sentence.
Self defense is a natural right granted by God. The author is absolutely wrong, on a deep philosophical level.
If that actually were true in today's environment, I'd have crew-served weapons in my yard.
Agreed in principle; but watch for the new list of felonies which will be used to disarm more of us. Failure to purchase acceptable health insurance comes to mind...
What about voting for the felons?
Criminalize dissent. Charge political opponents with felonies. Thereupon, even when freed, they lack arms and votes.
I remember reading Malcolm X's autobiography. He mentioned that in many black districts only the little old ladies voted, because almost all the men had their voting franchise taken from them.
Sounds good to me!
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.