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DENVER VS. THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
Stanley for U.S. Senate Campaign ^ | December 15, 2001 - Bill of Rights Day | N/A

Posted on 12/15/2001 6:23:07 PM PST by LibertyRocks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 15, 2001

NEWS RELEASE

STANLEY FOR U.S. SENATE
Web site http://www.stanley2002.org
CONTACT: Michelle Konieczny, 303.329.0481
EMAIL: Michelle@stanley2002.org

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DENVER VS. THE U.S. CONSTITUTION

(DENVER - 5:45 PM) At 12:15 pm today, December 15, 2001, Rick Stanley, Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate, was arrested by the Denver police for insisting that his constitutional right to keep and bear arms cannot be infringed. After delivering a speech detailing the reasons for his actions (attached, below), Rick performed an act of civil disobedience by openly carrying a loaded weapon, in a holster, in violation of Denver Revised Municipal Code section 38-117.5(b). Stanley believes that this city ordinance is unconstitutional. It infringes citizens' rights protected by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It is also in direct violation of Article II, Section 13 of the Colorado constitution.

Duncan Philp, another true patriot determined to protect the right of all citizens to keep and bear arms, was also arrested for carrying a weapon openly. At present, both Mr. Philp and Mr. Stanley are being held in the Denver City Jail awaiting booking.

Mr. Paul Grant, a lawyer specializing in constitutional law who has argued several cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, will be representing these men. Rick will demand a jury trial. He fully intends to demonstrate that this ordinance is unconstitutional, and that it cannot legally be enforced.

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(This copy of Rick's speech is available on the web at http://www.stanley2002.org/borspeech.htm )

Saturday, December 15, 2001, is the 210th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights. In honor of this auspicious occasion, Rick Stanley delivered the following speech.

Rick also violated the Revised Municipal Code of the city and county of Denver, chapter 38-117.5(b), which prohibits the open carry of deadly weapons within the city limits. Rick wants to prove that this ordinance is unconstitutional. But he can't sue the city until he's been "damaged" by the ordinance. That is why he engaged in this act of civil disobedience: to obtain "standing" to sue the city for violating his constitutionally protected rights.

WHAT THE SECOND AMENDMENT MEANS

Good afternoon, and thank you for coming. It would appear I don't stand alone. (Rick brandishes a "Star Wars" toy gun.) This is what Denver will allow me to defend myself with. (Rick shoots rubber flying discs at the crowd. The crowd rolls on the ground with hilarity, and roars its approval.)

My name is Rick Stanley. I'm a Libertarian candidate for the office of United States Senator. I'm here today to celebrate the 210th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights. More specifically, I want to tell you what the Second Amendment means to me, and, more importantly, what it means to America. I want to discuss the many ways in which our sitting government is destroying the Second Amendment. And I want to tell you what you can do to restore our Second Amendment rights.

The Bill of Rights is the crown jewel in the Constitution of the United States. And the Second Amendment is the linchpin of the Bill of Rights. The Second Amendment says, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Why did our forefathers add this provision to the Constitution? Well, they had direct experience with a tyrannical government. Just eight years before the Bill of Rights was ratified they had concluded peace with Great Britain, successfully ending their seven-year War for Independence. To understand the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, we must remember the basic political philosophy on which our nation was founded. That philosophy is set out brilliantly in the
Declaration of Independence. I'm sure those stirring words are familiar to all of you.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That, to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to secure their Safety and Happiness."

Now, it should be obvious that the people's right to alter or abolish a government that has become destructive of its basic ends would not mean much if the people didn't actually have the means to carry out the alteration. In other words, the Declaration of Independence wouldn't really say much without the Second Amendment. The people have the right to alter or abolish their government. And the people have another right -- to keep and bear arms. These two rights are essentially the same thing. The founding fathers knew this. When they wrote the Constitution,they hoped the government they were framing would always remain true to the purposes for which it had been instituted. But they had studied history, and they were wise, so they knew it was very likely that the government of the United States would become onerous and oppressive at some time in the future. Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness were, to them, the most important possessions any one can hold. And so they very wisely included the Second Amendment in the Bill of Rights. They hoped that their descendants would never again be forced to overthrow an evil government. But they knew it might happen, so they inserted an escape clause in our Bill of Rights.

Today, 210 years after the Bill of Rights became part of the Constitution, the Second Amendment is in tatters. Let's stop and think, for a moment, of the many ways in which this current unconstitutional government has infringed our right to keep and bear arms.

- Counting state, local, and federal laws and regulations, there are now over 20,000 separate rules regulating the use , possession, and transfer of firearms. Most of those rules are patent infringements of this most basic human right, to keep and bear arms in self-defense.

- The federal government has adopted many laws which violate the Second Amendment. Automatic weapons are subject to a special tax. People who want to buy or sell guns are required to ask for permission. Guns with large magazines are prohibited. Every one of these restrictions is an infringement of your right to keep and bear arms.

- Federal law also includes prohibitions against certain kinds of ammunition. Specifically, "armor-piercing" bullets are illegal. Guns with very short barrels are also illegal. The net effect? The very types of guns and ammunition the American people must have to defend our country against a self-proclaimed military dictator are not freely available. But they should be! And they must be, if freedom is to endure.

- State and local laws in many jurisdictions prohibit concealed carry. People who wish to carry a concealed weapon are required to obtain a license, or permit. In many cities these licenses are never issued. People can apply for them, but the government won't issue them.

The Second Amendment does not say that people can apply for permission to keep and bear arms. It says that you have the right to keep and bear arms. It does not say "except for concealed weapons." It says that you have the right to bear arms. It's your right, and so it must be your choice. You -- not the government -- can decide what kind of gun you need, and when you need it, and how you want to carry it. As long as you use it only for lawful purposes -- for self-defense -- the government has absolutely no lawful authority to restrict your Second Amendment right.

- Here in Denver the city council has adopted a particularly odious piece of legis lation known as Chapter 38-117.5(b) of the Revised Municipal Code. This unconstitutional piece of garbage says that citizens are not allowed to bear arms within the city limits. The traitors on the city council passed this ordinance even though they knew all about the Second Amendment. They knew all about Article II, Section 13 of the constitution of Colorado, which says, "The right of no person to keep and bear arms in defense of his home, person, and property, ... shall be called in question."

Why did they pass this unconstitutional ordinance? Because they don't care about you, or your rights, or the Constitution. They only care about power over other people -- obtaining it, extending it, and grasping it. They want to run your life. And they know that you might resist them if you have a gun. They're not ready to say you can't even own a gun. Not yet. But they do say that you can't carry it with you. Small steps. Infringements. Tyranny -- an inch at a time.

Unlike the Denver city council, I care about the Constitution. I believe that your rights, and my rights, and everybody's rights, are important. An unconstitutional enactment is not a law. Today I am challenging this unconstitutional ordinance by violating it deliberately and peacefully. But before I do that and the Denver police take me into custody, I want to tell you what you can do to make the Second Amendment a living, breathing reality once again.

- Elect Libertarians to public office. If you're not registered to vote, go out and register. Vote for Libertarians every chance you get. They're all about defending the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

- Join my campaign team. I am a candidate for the office of U.S. Senator. The election will be held next November. My campaign team is already hard at work. But it's pitifully small, and under-funded. Join my team, and help elect me to the U.S. Senate so I can start fighting for your rights at the federal level. You can talk to David Bryant or Michelle Konieczny -- they're here today. Or visit my web site the next time you're online: www.stanley2002.org.

Help spread the word about what has happened here today all across America. I am issuing a public call for monthly public demonstrations in support of the Bill of Rights. The Second American Revolution has already begun. It is time to spread it to every state in America.

Today I am taking a stand against an unconstitutional city ordinance. There are thousands of unconstitutional laws on the books today. Now is the time to force their repeal. We need to hold another rally here in Denver in January, and in February, and every month after that, until all the unconstitutional laws have been repealed. And we can't just do it in Denver. We need support in this effort from people all across the country.

I am calling upon citizens all across America to join the Second American Revolution. Organize a rally in your hometown. Set one up in the capital city of your state. Speak out against all the unconstitutional laws this sitting government has enacted. And don't stop there. Do it again, and again, and again -- until all the unconstitutional laws have been repealed.

When these rallies are happening regularly, in every capital city of every state in America, the politicians will have to sit up and listen. They know they have been passing unconstitutional laws. They don't want to listen when Libertarians say that what they're doing is wrong. Well, dammit, the time for whispering is behind us. We have got to shout our message from the rooftops, before it's too late. If we don't act now, our last best chance to preserve liberty in America will be lost. Do not let that happen!

- I know that there are many militia groups in America. The politicians and their media lapdogs have been poking fun at them for years. You militia members deserve respect. You know more about the Second Amendment, and what it truly means, than all the politicians inside the Beltway put together.

It is time for all the militia groups in America to band together. The battle for liberty can still be won with ballots, not bullets. But the danger is imminent. The recently enacted "Patriot Act" is a direct assault upon the entire Bill of Rights. The traitors in Washington are getting bolder. We must be ready to defend our liberty with all the force at our command, if they push it that far.

I'm calling out today for the formation of a new Second American Revolution militia, to embrace all the militias across America.

I've already read you part of the Declaration of Independence -- the most familiar part. Now I'd like to read the next two sentences, the part the politicians want you to forget about.

"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." Think about the "Patriot Act." Think about the thousands of unconstitutional laws this sitting government has enacted. It is a long train of a buses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object: to reduce you, and me, and all Americans, under absolute Despotism.

It is our right, it is our duty, to throw off this unconstitutional government. I'm ready to do my duty. Are you?

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TOPICS: Breaking News; News/Current Events
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To: rwfromkansas
Post proof that the judiciary would not have the ability to take away any right it wished when a case pertaining to it came before it.

They have no legislative power. It's right there in the consitution. Do you really need the cite?

121 posted on 12/15/2001 8:48:34 PM PST by Demidog
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To: VA Advogado
When I asked you when you would consider civil disobedience okay, and gave an example of an extreme situation to give you something to respond to....the disarming of the citizenry by the govt....you still said one needs to 'work within the laws'. I will find what post this was.
122 posted on 12/15/2001 8:49:29 PM PST by rwfromkansas
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To: Demidog
Of course they do not have this power....CONSTITUTIONALLY. But they have consistently been overstepping this and DO legislate every day.
123 posted on 12/15/2001 8:50:32 PM PST by rwfromkansas
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To: VA Advogado
Um, the supreme court didnt repeal prohibition.

Ummm I didn't say they did. Try again.

124 posted on 12/15/2001 8:50:50 PM PST by Demidog
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To: rwfromkansas
The only proof I have is that I carry a firearm. I use my firearms within responsible methods; not only do I choose to protect my family and business, I believe in protecting YOUR lack of concept about this issue.

You are the first to go within a divided nation with a rampant government that has no restraint. I am here to say that our government has restraint.... and that is our guns.

125 posted on 12/15/2001 8:51:35 PM PST by Buckeroo
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To: VA Advogado
Post 77: Me: "What about when the law openly forbids the carrying or even owning a weapon? Should one follow the law then? Just when is it acceptable to stand up for what you believe in, under your views? Once you can't defend them and are under a dictatorship?"

Your reply: "Well, if you want to be an ass and get arrested and go to jail and accomplish nothing, sure. Do it. But please dont think you're helping the CCW cause because you're not."

126 posted on 12/15/2001 8:54:26 PM PST by rwfromkansas
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To: Roscoe
This is supposed to prove what? You've already had your head handed to you on the Presser case. I can cite prior State court cases (Like Georgia for instance) where the Supreme Court Justices there were not so blatantly and willfully disrespectful of the law. Have you ever read the racist roots of gun control by Clayton Cramer? You should.
127 posted on 12/15/2001 8:55:02 PM PST by Demidog
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To: yooper
If you have a CCW issued after July 1, or an old general CCW, you can carry anywhere in the state outside of the special gun free zones which are specifically mentioned in the law.(Schools, bars, places that serve alchohol, sports arenas.)
128 posted on 12/15/2001 8:55:18 PM PST by Dan from Michigan
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To: Buckeroo
I agree there is restraint in guns. All I am saying is what is there to keep the government from taking them away? The fact is, the court could if it wished. It would be very easy for a gun case to come up and then for them to rule gun ownership "unconstitutional." The Supreme Court is not accountable to anyone and can do what it pleases.
129 posted on 12/15/2001 8:56:09 PM PST by rwfromkansas
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To: Buckeroo
You are picking a fight with somebody whom I believe shares your views. I don't know what happened between you but it's looking ugly now and I don't think it's necessary.
130 posted on 12/15/2001 8:56:45 PM PST by Demidog
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To: rwfromkansas
I'm sorry. I dont see where that indicates I was for government seizure of guns. I never bought into your hysterical hypothetical.
131 posted on 12/15/2001 8:57:20 PM PST by VA Advogado
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To: rwfromkansas
Their recent cases are so contradictory on issue after issue it makes one wonder if they even look at the Constitution when ruling.

Furthermore, unlike the court I respect from the 1800's, the court does not try hard at all to give precedent for its opinions.

132 posted on 12/15/2001 8:58:48 PM PST by rwfromkansas
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To: Demidog
You are picking a fight with somebody whom I believe shares your views. I don't know what happened between you but it's looking ugly now and I don't think it's necessary.

Yeah, you do need to keep the insane in line. You're running out of allies to cheer your insane interpretations of our laws and constitution.

133 posted on 12/15/2001 8:59:24 PM PST by VA Advogado
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To: Libloather
"I just don't believe in Liberteens."

LOL, I suppose next you'll be telling us you don't believe in Santa? What's a Liberteen anyway? Words have meaning if you use them correctly. You should try it:^)

134 posted on 12/15/2001 8:59:30 PM PST by monday
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To: rwfromkansas
"All I am saying is what is there to keep the government from taking them [guns] away?" -- rwfromkansas

Me. Come and take 'em.

135 posted on 12/15/2001 9:00:03 PM PST by Buckeroo
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To: Demidog
I frankly do not know what is happening either...I am fighting two Concealed carry supporters and one who just pretends to be such. This is insane.
136 posted on 12/15/2001 9:00:19 PM PST by rwfromkansas
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To: VA Advogado
States are prohibited from enacting laws which prohibit how and where firearms may be carried"

There already is such a law. No new law is needed. If I were in Congress and I weren't Ron Paul, I'd be passing laws to come after your guns.

You are advocating a national concealed carry bill. Is this the bill? Or is it more involved? There shouldn't even be ink on paper in any legislature regarding your firearms.

Not a tilde or a spec more than the second amendment.

137 posted on 12/15/2001 9:02:42 PM PST by Demidog
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To: VA Advogado
I said "OR EVEN OWNING A WEAPON." I guess you do have a point in that I did not say TAKING AWAY, but I did say the new law would forbid the owning of a weapon. Obviously, such guns owned already would have to be taken away in any case. So, my point still applies and you are a radical non-confrontational person on this issue. Even if all your rights are taken away, you still will say "work through the legislature." Even calling Rosa Parks wrong (you did not say this, but by your attacks on civil disobedience, it is not a leap to say such).
138 posted on 12/15/2001 9:03:27 PM PST by rwfromkansas
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To: VA Advogado
You're running out of allies to cheer your insane interpretations of our laws and constitution.

You do not count. Hope that helps.

139 posted on 12/15/2001 9:04:10 PM PST by Demidog
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To: Demidog
I remember you previously citing Presser approvingly, and then frantically backpedaling after learning what the decision actually said.
140 posted on 12/15/2001 9:05:22 PM PST by Roscoe
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