They'll Second That Amendment

Opinion Journal ^ | Tuesday, July 30, 2002 | BY THOMAS J. BRAY

[GiovannaNicoletta]

The antigun set went bonkers in Michigan a year ago when the courts stymied their efforts to gut a new law expanding gun rights. The Michigan Supreme Court threw out the gun-control advocates' ballot initiative, saying the issue couldn't be challenged with a referendum. Having failed there, the antigunners took aim with the only weapon left in their arsenal: inflated rhetoric. Relaxing gun restrictions, they warned, would bring Wild West-style shootouts, blood in the streets and a severe political backlash against Republicans and conservative judges.

[GiovannaNicoletta]

I wonder if Michigan voters will buy the new phony Second Amendment activism coming from the left.

[Kenton]

Former governor James Blanchard, trying for another stint in Lansing, said the new law should stand and then went one step further: "I am backing a constitutional amendment to protect hunting and fishing."

That would be just fine, as long as you don't think it's in any way a substitute for the Second Amendment. As the courts have recently reminded you, the Second Amendment is about the individual right to keep and bear arms, not deer hunting.

[Kenton]

Just because people aren't dropping like flies at the hands of citizens armed with their newly minted permits and concealed weapons doesn't mean Dodge City won't materialize soon, they assert.

Contrary to what you learned from the pap put out by Hollyweird, the Old West was not nearly as violent as depicted in the movies, and nowhere even on the same scale as the 'hoods of Detroit.

There were social predators back then, just as there have always been and as there are now. However, since nearly everybody had a gun, the social predators didn't have such an easy job, and their life expectancy was fairly short.

As we have seen by the decrease in violent crime in nearly every state where they've implemented CCW laws, "an armed society is a polite society".

[The Toad]

Contrary to what you learned from the pap put out by Hollyweird, the Old West was not nearly as violent as depicted in the movies, and nowhere even on the same scale as the 'hoods of Detroit.

Yeah, only Hollywood would consider it's own movies "history".

I'd like to see all of the anti-gunners in Michigan put signs in their windows that say: "Gun-free home" in their residences.

[MissTargets]

Governor Taft, of Ohio, needs to read this.

[michigander]

As the courts have recently reminded you, the Second Amendment is about the individual right to keep and bear arms, not deer hunting.

If the governor forgets, we'll just have to think of a subtle reminder.

---

CONSTITUTION OF MICHIGAN OF 1963

ARTICLE I

DECLARATION OF RIGHTS

§ 6 Bearing of arms.

Sec. 6. Every person has a right to keep and bear arms for the defense of himself and the state.

[TC Rider]

Dial forward to the present. The law is now in effect and Michigan has not become "Dodge City," as one gun control advocate warned at the time.

The anti-gunners have been trying the "Dodge City" rhetoric since Florida first instituted 'Shall Issue'. Hasn't happened, yet they keep saying it. It says something about their intelligence, or lack thereof, that they still haven't come up with a better argument.

[Skwidd]

I'd like to see all of the anti-gunners in Michigan put signs in their windows that say: "Gun-free home" in their residences.

That would be great! Maybe I'll make some up and sell them as a 'Democratic fundraiser.'

[The Toad]

No that I'd like to see! LOL.

We could use 'em in Illinois too.

[Bub]

An author of western lore whose last name is Dykstra researched records of Dodge City as far back as records are available; his result: those who use Dodge City as an example of illicit/violent gun activity are fools at best, liars at worst.

[Eagle Eye]

I'd say that Dodge City should stop being insulted by the likes of Detroit or D.C.