A Soldier's Perspective
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Ranger Up & ASP Support The 2nd Amendment
[UPDATE: All entrants must agree to allow their submission to be posted on A Soldier's Perspective and/or the Ranger Up blog to be eligible.]
I love being a Soldier. I love being a Soldier because my entire purpose in life is to defend this country and protect the Constitution – all of it! It’s such a beautiful document and, when combined with the Declaration of Independence, are without a doubt the most important documents in the history of the world (after the scriptures, of course).
As an avid shooter (and a Texan), the Second Amendment holds a special place in my heart. Being the Army, it’s sometimes hard to fathom as I’m sitting on the range qualifying on various weapons that I’m getting PAID to shoot guns! It doesn’t get any better than that.
Unfortunately, the Second Amendment is under assault. For fear of pissing off the Air Force, I won’t go into detail about the origins of this assault, but let’s just agree that it’s under assault (or disagree, I don’t care). It’s with that in mind that Ranger Up and I want to know YOUR opinions on the Second Amendment. Should it stay? Should it be repealed? Is it strong enough? Is it too weak? Is it really under attack or just a figment of my imagination? What would this nation be like without it?
Learn about this contest below.
It’s along those lines that we want to hear from you. In 100 words or less (you won’t be penalized for writing more, but I may get bored quicker) tell us your opinions about the Second Amendment. Send your submissions to cj@soldiersperspective.us by 25 August with “2nd Amendment Essay Contest” in the subject line. Why 25 August? On August 25, 1789, the Second Amendment resolution was sent to the Senate from the House. For the next two years, the amendment would be debated and changed made to make it what it is today. Now, 220 years later, it is under attack. What a great way to raise awareness of this important part of American life!
In addition, Ranger Up has created a Second Amendment t-shirt. Together, we will choose the best three essays and each writer will win one of the shirts for FREE!! If you don’t have a Second Amendment t-shirt, you haven’t experienced the high quality shirts they produce. They’ve quickly taken over my wardrobe, as those who were at the Milblog Conference can attest.
So, get writing and send in those essays. Only 25 days to go!! If you don’t WANT to write an essay, but simply must get your hands on one of these t-shirts, click HERE and pre-purchase one today. Ranger Up was founded and is run by veterans!
(23) Readers Comments
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The Hard Right Over the Easy Wrong
Most of you have never lived in the that area, so you don't have a cl
The Hard Right Over the Easy Wrong
How ironic, Mr. Peterson, that you do not believe a word of Mr. Grisha
The Hard Right Over the Easy Wrong
Your incident reminds me of what it was like growing up in Salem, Oreg
Daniel Berrisford
Come on Americans, stand up and fight for your rights. The Second Amendment is extreamly important. It gives us the right to protect ourselves,family,and property. Without it and more gun controll, only the government, thugs, punks,gangbangers, illeagals, terrorists and other criminals will be armed. Gun controll and gun laws only work if you follow the laws. The second amendment gives you the right to protect yourself from the formentioned trash. Because they don’t follow the laws. Our forfathers put a lot of thought into the Constitution and Bill of Rights. They got it right, leave it the hell alone. God Bless America and all true Americans!
Ozcar
Daniel,
The 2nd Amendment does not ‘give’ us a right. It recognizes a pre-existing right, and it restricts the gov from screwing around with that right (..shall not be abridged). There is quite a bit of back and forth on the last part. IMO the Preamble to the Bill of Rights (below), which is generally not included with most copies of the Constitution, ends that debate.
December 15, 1791
Preamble
Congress OF THE United States
begun and held at the City of New York, on Wednesday the Fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.
THE Conventions of a number of the States having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution
RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.:
ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.
armydrea
That is a really cool t-shirt. I get my army clothing at http://battlefieldcollection.com/ They have a huge selection and they have things for each different division along with their insignia. I buy my family clothing here to support our troops
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Perry Keeton
“For fear of pissing off the Air Force, I won’t go into detail about the origins of this assault…..”
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
‘splain that to us, even at the risk of pissing us off.
CJ
Perry, it is a not-so-veiled reference to the pogue that filed an IG complaint against me because he disagreed with my blogging. Nothing personal against you! He just happened to be in the Air Force. I know most Airmen aren’t retards like that guy.
B Woodman
Here goes, in brief:
The right to keep and bear arms. A God-given right that has existed since the beginning of man (and woman) kind. A God-given right that has existed since before firearms. This first among rights that allows all other rights to exist, without fear of outside threats, abuse, or coersion. A God-given right to defend ourselves, and all we hold dear and precious, against all enemies, from the street-corner punk and petty thief, all the way up to an abusive government.
The Second Amendment does need to be re-written. As it currently stands, there is ambiguity in its wording. And it is that very ambiguity that is allowing our political enemies to nibble, and peck, and chip away at this most precious of our rights.
Possibly like this:
“The right of the People, as individuals, to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The people, being necessary to the formation of a well regulated Militia, for the security of a free State, against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
B Woodman
SSG (Ret) US Army
III
Bill St. Clair
I’d write my own short 2nd Amendment essay, but it’s already been said, so I’ll just quote the master. This is the true meaning of “shall not be infringed”:
“Every man, woman, and responsible child has an unalienable individual, civil, Constitutional, and human right to obtain, own, and carry, openly or concealed, any weapon — rifle, shotgun, handgun, machinegun, ANYTHING — any time, any place, without asking anyone’s permission.”
– L. Neil Smith
The Atlanta Declaration
http://lneilsmith.org/atlanta.html
tired dog
The Second is a simple, clear and forceful statement that Americans will not tolerate a monopoly of force resident in any entity, particularly our government. Sovereignty rests in the people always, and no ‘authority’ will ever overrun our liberties so long as we jealously guard our birthright and maintain skill with the tools necessary to defend our unalienable rights…
Nice shirts too…
mikeb302000
I think the 2nd Amendment is fine. No need to repeal anything. But, when you guys use it to justify your owning or carrying guns, I say you’re wrong. In spite of what happened last year with DC vs Heller, I don’t believe there is an individual right there. I go for the militia idea, which you know better than I do, so I don’t need to explain it.
The only thing worse than falling back on the 2nd Amendment for justification, in my opinion is what some of you have done with the Bible and Christianity. Some of the things I’ve read about justifying owning guns with biblical verses are absolutely ludicrous. I’m sure you’ve read them too, so there’s no need to go into detail.
I hope a dissenting opinion is welcome over here. It is at my place. You’re more than welcome there.
Michael Bethancourt
(01) The 2nd Amendment does not GRANT citizens the right to bear arms … It AFFIRMS that right and says it shall not be infringed. The Colonists ALREADY HAD the right to own firearms !! (2) People who react poorly to “anti-firearmers” do gunowners a real disservice … stay calm, stay logical, accept that many people make decisions based purely upon emotion, not logic. (3)Remember that many people DO believe in simple (perhaps Nanny) solutions because they have been “conditioned” in college or in high school, to believe that our government will always have their best interest in the forefront and will always know what is best for them … it is this kind of person that voted for the NAZIS, etc. (not that they were NAZIS, but felt that the NAZIS would look after them). The Earth has been home to that type of person since we decended from the trees. Rather than alienate them, we must find an empathetic common ground with them. Only then can we turn-on our persuasive charm and help them to at least give more understanding to those who live dissimilar lives and make different but rational choices. NOTE: My email address is my email address at home … not the one here at United Launch Alliance. By the way … I have > 240 College Credit hours … I am a secondary education graduate … my Majors and Minors were: Computer Science, General Business, History, Philosophy, Political Science, and darn near have minors in Economics and Psychology. MY math specialty is Quantative Statistical Analysis and a little Qualititative Statistical Analysis. (I am a Real-Time Operating Systems Developer and I have succeeded at writing Business Competitive Gaming Software, Property Management Systems, General Ledger Software and programs that implement statistical methods) My age is 64.5 I have worked for two computer manufacturers as both developer and instructor. I was employed by Martin Marietta – Lockheed Martin for 33 years and have been with United Launch Alliance since its “stand-up” in 2005. Yes, I am both a “steely-eyed” Missile Man and a Rocket-Man. //end//
JN
If you are a Veteran, who took an oath to defend our Constitution, then you are obligated by that oath to support the 2nd amendment, along with all of the other amendments. Having served, and having sworn that oath, I take great pride in defending OUR Constitution on a daily basis. JN U.S. Army, Military Police Corps HOOOAHHH!!!!!!!!
Shannon Army Wife
Americans need to wake the hell up. Every one of rights is being infringed upon in some way, and the goal is heavier government control of our way of life. From nationalized healthcare, to cap and trade, to apologizing to the world for the USA being so bad, to the assault on free speech and the second amendment. It’s here, there are many on the hill who don’t give a rats behind what the constitution says, or what was meant when it was written by our founding fathers. We have given these people too much freedom to do as they please, and it’s time to remind them THEY WORK FOR US!
Chuck
Joe Huffman (http://blog.joehuffman.org/2004/12/15/JustOneQuestion.aspx) asks just one question to those who seek to ban, limit, or otherwise attack the 2nd amendment:
Can you demonstrate one time or place, throughout all history, where the average person was made safer by restricting access to handheld weapons?
There are three possible answers to this question.
1. “I don’t know.” In which case my response is, “Come back to the debate when you can answer ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.”
2. “No.” In which case my response is, “Then you should be advocating the repeal of ALL gun control laws and I don’t want to hear a single anti-freedom word from you on this topic again.”
3. “Yes and here is my demonstration.”
I’ve never seen a response to the question that had #3 as it’s answer.
IN rewriting the 2nd, I would do so thusly:
“Congress shall make no law, nor shall any state make any law, restricting the use, carry, ownership, sale, trade, possession, of any citizen of any weapon or firearm, or the ammunition or parts necessary to make them functional. Furthermore, no law or regulation may stand which requires licensure, permit, or other government regulation precluding any citizen to exercise this right.”
Of course, there are those who would say “But any weapon? what if they had a nuclear bomb? Or a flame thrower?”
Yes, to both. if you possess the knowledge to build a nuke, or somehow manage to find one on craigslist, and can afford it, then hell yes, you can own it. Not sure if anyone would be able to afford one, or if they did if they’d want to schlep it around, but when you regulate one weapon, it then becomes a slippery slope to regulating all weapons. (As seen in gun-banning England, which is now considering banning knives, too.)
The only caveat I would accept to this is regulation of convicted violent felons, who would only be allowed to possess weapons in their homes, after the end of their parole.
JN
Chuck,
Unfortunately, Nuclear arms and flame throwers do not have a “personal use” predecessor, that can fit into the category of a personal arm. If you look at the history of where the 2nd takes most of it’s ideas from, it’s quite clear that the intentions were those arms that could be carried “Bear” on the person i.e. knives, swords, pistols, and muskets. Those arms can be used for defending oneself against any personal threat or for being called up as part of the Militia. Because of this, any pistol, rifle, shotgun etc. should be covered under the 2nd. Once you say flame throwers, grenades, nuclear weapons and other weapons of an offensive purpose, should be covered as well, you start losing ground in the argument for the 2nd, including it’s 14th amndmnt incorporation. JN U.S. Army, Military Police Corps
CJ
But, JN. I can carry a grenade and a flame thrower. And what is the difference between and offensive weapon and a defensive weapon? I was only issued one in Iraq, but they didn’t tell which kind it was.
Linds
I can see that the 2nd Amendment is being threatened. Personally, I think the wording is a big ambiguous. It does specifically let militia bear arms. I believe we should be able to have weapons (of any type in our homes) for protection. I think people should be able to have guns for hunting and law enforcement should be able to carry guns. Do I want the average Joe blow carrying a gun? I don’t know- that just makes me nervous. I guess as long as there is a criminal background check it’s fine. Do you all think there should be a psychological one as well though? Should those with depression, schizophrenia, MPD, bipolar disorder, etc be allowed to bear arms?
Dusgalan
Personally, I view the 2nd Amendment as Life Assurance. The gun-grabbing facists want to control every facet of our lives. If(God forbid, over my dead body) they take the 2nd amendment away, the First Amendment and the rest will be soon, very soon to follow. Just my opinion.
Dusgalan of MT
JN
CJ,
The difference is EXACTLY what I pointed out, which is that there is no predecessor of these weapons that were carried at the time of the framing of the 2nd or of it’s English counterpart from the 12th century. The predecessor of the 2nd was enacted by King Henry II, and was the Assize of Arms from 1181. This was then the predecessor of the English Bill of Rights of 1689, which was mentioned in the Heller decision. Under ones understanding that grenades and flamethrowers are covered under the 2nd, that would mean that I can then carry personal missiles, like the M47 DRAGON or even better yet, have a TOW missile launcher on my F-150. C’mon, you have to take some common sense here. When I first enlisted, I was given an M16A1, and then issued the M16A2 M203 grenade launcher combo. NOW THAT is fun, but the grenade portion is definitely not covered, unless your in a 3rd class state and get issued a 3rd class permit for destructive devices. Hell, even the 12 guage street sweeper was banned by the BATF for being a destructive device. Just because I quote what the 2nd covers by law, does not mean that I completely agree with it. Currently I live in the United Soviet State of Kalifornia, so I can definitely tell you, I have a HUGE problem with some in Gvt. here, along with some in the law enforcement community here as well. JN U.S. Army, Military Police Corps
JN
One more thing to all people that are hesitant in owning a firearm or believing others are justified to do so. You need to look at what has happened in the United States Supreme Court, in regards to whether civilian law enforcement is required to assist citizens to stop a crime in progress or to even get out of their car to prevent a crime from happening. There have been many decisions that state quite frankly that YOU, the private citizen is obligated to take care of your own safety and self defense. The local authorities are in NO WAY obligated to lift a finger. The main cases in point were a multiple rape, and a murder. JN U.S. Army, Military Police Corps
Jeremy
The Second Amendment is part of a special section in the Constitution called the Bill of Rights. People have always tried to pick and choose what rights we should have, depending on that person’s personal interests. I believe the issue is much larger than just the Second Amendment-it is about ALL of our individual rights.
Look back a few years and see how ONE person’s offense at a veteran’s funeral led to a ban on stating the meaning of each of our flag’s stripes. Similar thinking also has our Pledge of Allegiance and money under attack due to the mention of God.
The attacks go against everything on which our great country was founded. Why did the colonists originally come over here? What did they do when they felt their rights were being threatened? They did not lie down take it.
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Norris Hall
In 1755 Samuel Johnson published the the “Webster’s dictionary” of the day.
It was the definitive dictionary of the English language at the time the US Constitution was written.
Under the word “arms” the 1755 definition was ” weapons of defense or armour of defense“
The definition of arms did not restrict the term to portable hand held weapons like muskets and swords, (as some revisionists who try to reinterpret the second amendment claim)…but even included the most terrible weapons of the day…the cannon.
Which means that Americans are not limited in what type of weapon they can own: a stinger missile, a tank, a bazooka, a flame thrower. Any “weapon of defense” is fair game. Machine guns, hand grenades, RPG’s all are included in the second amendment. I would even go so far as to say that Americans even have the right to possess biological weapons.
Americans have the right under the constitution to unrestricted access to any weapon that can be use in any possible way in defense of the country or the individual.
There are those, even some in the NRA, who would like to draw a distinction between a handgun and , say a bazooka, a missile or a suitcase nuke. But based to the second amendment and the definition of “arms” , Americans citizens have the right to own any weapon they wish.
No exceptions.