Our Second Amendment Right...The Right To Bear Arms!

What exactly does the 2nd Amendment say? It reads as follows: 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. A militia is a nation’s military force composed of citizens called forth to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrection, and repel invasion. By definition the word infringe means to encroach upon in such a way that it violates the law or the rights of any individual(s). Encroachment occurs when either by gradual increments or by stealth one acquires the possession(s) or right(s) of any individual(s). In order to gain clarification we must look to the past...to the birth of the U.S. Constitution and our Bill of Rights. James Madison is considered by historians to be the “Father of the Constitution”…and less well known…a major promoter of the Bill of Rights. Madison had vowed to push for a bill of rights while campaigning against James Monroe for the newly formed United States House. He announced to Congress on May 4, 1789, of his intentions to formally introduce the topic on May 25th. Unfortunately, Congress was debating import duties (taxes) on that calendar date so he waited until June 8th. His presentation was blocked by other members of Congress who felt there were other, more important matters to address. Madison undeterred, rose from his seat and presented his list of amendments to Congress anyway. Now, let’s switch gears. No one wants to think about the term “urban warfare”, warfare conducted in towns and cities. That was exactly how our nation was born back in the Revolutionary War era and that could very well be the way we will hold on to our nation down the road. Throughout history many nations have had conflict in their homelands, but Americans are, for some reason, oblivious to the possibility. Pearl Harbor, 9-11, and now the borders of Mexico should be enough to keep us historically vigilant. Unfortunately, many U.S. citizens could see foreign troops marching down the streets and taking over our towns and simply look puzzled before they continued with their morning activities. We must ask ourselves… Could we do anything if a siege attempt happened? Well, how bad do you want your freedom? WE THE PEOPLE could (one day) have to make a split-second decision to get involved and not just wait for the military to swoop in and save us. This is a big country and they can’t be everywhere! If we were taken hostage at a bank or on a cruise ship we would not have a SWAT team or a military battalion right there…we would have to fend for ourselves until help arrived. Let’s look to history for a worse case scenario. When Hitler invaded Leningrad (Operation Barbarossa) urban warfare lasted approximately 900 days and was long, destructive, and unsuccessful. Yes, unsuccessful because civilians took up arms and to the streets to fight side-by-side with their military. How bad did they want their freedom? Currently, the border with Mexico and the United States is teetering on the brink of catastrophe with drug cartel wars, kidnappings, drug smuggling, and illegal alien trafficking occurring daily. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by those who think the government should tell “law abiding” citizens to give up their weapons; then only the undesirables will have them. We need to think seriously about our 1st Amendment Rights “before” we are forced to defend them…or lose them.

Note: Gun control is in the eye of the beholder…and I’m beholding to no one.

May God bless America…and may America deserve it!

Zanne Booker 4-14-09