On the right to bear arms
King Henry the Second of England promulgated the Assize of Arms in 1181. The law required all freemen to keep and bear arms to protect themselves, their country and their king. Our founders took this a step further when they passed the Second Amendment to the Constitution that protects the right to keep and bear arms from infringement by the federal government. Why did our founders feel the right to bear arms was important? Let me give you a hint – it had nothing to with hunting:
- deterring undemocratic government (see Iranian Election)
- repelling invasion (see Red Dawn)
- suppressing insurrection
- facilitating a natural right of self-defense (see home invasion)
- participating in law enforcement
The Supreme Court took up the matter in a very recent (2008) landmark case: District of Columbia v. Heller where they held that the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects an individuals’ right to possess a firearm for private use. It is the first Supreme Court case in United States history to directly address whether the right to keep and bear arms is a right of individuals in addition to a collective right that applies to state-regulated militias.
I believe families have an obligation to own firearms. These firearms should be secured from unauthorized access, they should be in good working order and they should be used regularly by appropriate members of the household. Why? For the same reasons the founders included the right in our Constition:
- facilitating a natural right of self-defense (see home invasion)
- deterring undemocratic government (see Iranian Election)
- repelling invasion (see Red Dawn)
- suppressing insurrection
- participating in law enforcement
It is our right and obligation to protect ourselves and our families from those who would do harm to us or our property. Of course everyone will think you are crazy if you tell them, but the second reason you should keep and bear arms is to deter an undemocratic government or foreign insurrection. Those eventualities seem impossible today, but that is mainly due to the fact that half of all Americans own guns (according to Gary Kleck ‘Targeting Guns’.
“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” – Thomas Jefferson
Note: I know that some of you shouldn’t own guns. I don’t mind if you decide not to own a firearm – I just hope that you appreciate those who can and do. Support them by supporting the Second Amendment.
