Second Amendment Bump
Posted on 11/30/2001 11:40:08 PM PST by forest
The war on terrorism went a bit wide and got a little strange last week. President Bush said he wants all Americans to join together to help fight terrorism in the United States, but his paramilitary forces seem to have a bit of a problem with that.
One would think that the best "Homeland Defense" would be the American people themselves. The Japanese military certainly thought so during WWII. When asked why they did not attack California after the win at Pearl Harbor, a Japanese admiral admitted they feared the well armed American population.
Well, I'm not too sure about California anymore. But, many other places in the country are still very well armed. Kentucky is a case in point for this argument. There are probably as many guns per capita there as anyplace in the country. Very few deaths by gunshot, though; but that's another story.
One would think that with all the hubbub in Washington nowadays, the federal paramilitary forces would be out looking for the terrorists they know are still at large in our country. However, apparently some of the administration's police have a lot of free time on their hands -- enough free time to actually invent new crimes, in fact.
Either that, or the Bush administration suddenly has taken an abrupt about face about citizens being willing to protect our homeland.
Because, within our Constitution and the well established American law is this entity known as the American Militia.
Yeah, THAT again! The Citizen's Militia. . . . .
Some say it went away during the Clinton administration. But, those "some" are wrong. It just got quiet. And, those good-- well intended -- militia people did a bit of culling of their ranks and dismissed most of the nutcases.
I'll say again -- before anyone asks -- I am not a member of any American Citizen's Militia and never have been. In truth, they probably would not have me, anyway. But, that does not mean that I am not happy that some of them exist. I publicly and privately appreciate some of them. Note, however, that the operative word there is "some."
I have met some very honorable people who are proud members of Citizen's Militias. And, I'm in very good company there. Because, I also know a few very well positioned politicians who join me in appreciating the public service some of these Citizen's Militia members provide.
It's aggravating, then, when federal officials with the Clinton administration mentality drum up silly charges to go after a true supporter of our Constitution and our American way of life.
In truth, I do not personally know Charlie Puckett. But, we have a few friends in common. And, I know Charlie is a mechanic, a well experienced (and effective) political activist and a militia leader in Kentucky. For instance, Charlie helped honcho the fight for the concealed carry permit law in Kentucky -- which is now admitted to be a very successful program by all but the rabid left sector of society.
It was alarming, then, to learn that this hard working man who has been married to the same woman for 33 years, is a father of two and a grandfather, had his home raided by a paramilitary task force of about 40 officers.
Why, we ask? Well, it turns out that Charlie swiped some food 35 years ago and the price of that food "might" be over $100. That means that the crime "might" have been construed as a felony, in which case Charlie is not allowed to own a gun.
Hey, no matter that Charlie was checked out by the Kentucky State Police and was cleared for a concealed carry permit. This raid was federal. They have no reason to believe "local" police. Local laws be damned, this was a "national" police matter. Today's "national" police, of course, take precedence over all else.
Oh . . . the Constitution? Huh?
Who gave the federal government plenary powers in the States?
You did.
You didn't protest. So, once they assumed the powers, they kept them.
OK, blame it on your parents or grandparents then. Same difference. The collective "we" allowed the federal government to become a leviathan, an albatross, unconstitutionally sucking up the rights of the American people.
Think not? Read the new Patriot Law. Then, read some of the other bills before Congress. Obviously, very few in Washington honor that old, hackneyed Constitution anymore.
Charlie got raided for nothing.
Who is next? You, maybe?
Who dares protest anymore?
Who gave the federal government plenary powers in the States?
The collective "we" allowed the federal government to become a leviathan, an albatross, unconstitutionally sucking up the rights of the American people.
Think not? Read the new Patriot Law. Then, read some of the other bills before Congress. Obviously, very few in Washington honor that old, hackneyed Constitution anymore.
Charlie got raided for nothing.
Who is next? You, maybe?
Who dares protest anymore?
It was alarming, then, to learn that this hard working man who has been married to the same woman for 33 years, is a father of two and a grandfather, had his home raided by a paramilitary task force of about 40 officers.
Why, we ask? Well, it turns out that Charlie swiped some food 35 years ago and the price of that food "might" be over $100. That means that the crime "might" have been construed as a felony, in which case Charlie is not allowed to own a gun.
Hey, no matter that Charlie was checked out by the Kentucky State Police and was cleared for a concealed carry permit. This raid was federal. They have no reason to believe "local" police. Local laws be damned, this was a "national" police matter. Today's "national" police, of course, take precedence over all else.
bttt
I just want to be sure.
Yeah, I mostly post on religious or quasi-religious topics these days, hence the name-change.
So far, the new name has served to provide me with an introduction to some of my fellow OrthodoxPres congregants on FreeRepublic... a side-benefit about which I am pleased.
Charlie is doing fine and is planning on fighting this pack of lies. There are several reasons for the BATF pulling this stunt, among them to try and bring the KSM down. They had tried earlier this year when they had someone from Indiana call Charlie up and ask him if he wanted to purchase some LAW rockets. He immediately called the FBI and relayed this information to them. They also think Charlie is lying to them about not knowing the location of Steve Anderson. They accused him of this during their raid.
To answer the question many of you are asking "Is Charlie a convicted felon?" let me try to clarify some things. It is my understanding that Charlie was convicted of a felony. This occurred in 1966 (two years prior to the 1968 gun control act) and he was 19 years old. At that time in the state of Virginia he was considered a minor and not an adult. This was a juvenile record and not an adult record. Also to be convicted of a felony by taking then was only one hundred dollars or more. (today it would be more like three hundred dollars) His charge was for breaking and entering a country store to get something to eat and they took just a little over one hundred dollars worth of food (there were other people involved). Charlie paid his debt to society and has led an exemplary life ever since. I would hope none of you in the patriot movement would now turn your back on him now for this teenage indiscretion. I'm sure there are many of you out there that have probably done as bad or worse but just were not caught.
Now to answer the question, the FBI does not consider Charlie a convicted felon. He has purchased firearms where he had a background check run by the FBI. He is a concealed carry permit holder, meaning in this case not one but two background checks. One by the Kentucky State Police and another by the FBI. And the concealed carry permits here are updated once a week by the state police. Charlie's CCDW was not revoked as the BATF claims, he voluntarily surrendered it to the state police on the day of the raid. Only the unConstitutional BATF considers Charlie a felon.
I hope this resolves some of the questions that you all out there are asking. If you have anymore questions you can call me at 859-289-4463. Please do not call after 10 PM eastern time. I hope to have a statement from Charlie in a few days which I will forward on and also post on our website at <http//www.kentuckystatemilitia.cc>. He will also be doing a press release on Tuesday with his attorney.
Lt Colonel Stracner Kentucky State Militia
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.