Counterpoint~ Bearing Arms: Our defense against Oppresion
December 19, 2008 • written by Tyler Brouwer
Tyler Brouwer responds to Jasmine Branum’s ariticle titled” Gun Ownership: A Right that Needs Control”
~~~
“The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretence, raised in the United States.” – Noah Webster
In early America, when the articles of federation were failing and many were arguing over the creation of a federal government, a document was drafted which would become the constitution of our country. A loosely united group of countrymen had just miraculously defeated thousands of well-trained British soldiers in a fight against oppression that had seemed hopeless to many. The founding fathers divided into two encompassing groups – the federalists and the anti-federalists. The federalists believed in the ratification of the constitution and the creation of a federal government, while the anti-federalists were much more skeptical of the idea – fearing the federal government would only end in oppression of the people. It is this idea that still lives today – the basis of our constitution.
This notion that people should be free from tyrannical government, that, in fact, the people should control the government by force of arms, is one that dates back only a few hundred years – a novel concept by historical standards. For a thousand years kings had ruled their kingdoms with an iron fist using the military as their catalyst for control. Even developed European nations were ruled this way until well after the American Revolution. The founding fathers, having fled to the new world to escape this oppression, included this right to bear arms in our constitution not as an option nor a privilege but as an absolute, undeniable right of the people. So why then, you may ask, are the liberal left trying to deny us a sacred right granted and secured by the highest form of government?
Certainly there are legitimate reasons to government wanting to implement policies that would ultimately make firearms more difficult to obtain and eventually make them illegal. We can all see that guns are dangerous and that they are very high on the leading cause of death in our country. Pacifists would have us all lay them down and trade bullets for roses. The question everyone in this country must ask themselves is how much freedom will you sacrifice for security? Will your children look back one day and ask you about the ‘good old days’ when you used to be able to choose what kind of car you drove, what kind of light bulbs you used, or start your own business?
Do not let anyone tell you that our founding fathers could not have predicted the advancement in weapons technology, the so-called shift in lifestyles that renders heavy firearms useless. Certainly they could not have predicted the exact circumstances the country has gone through but they had the future in mind. With military grade weapons in mind (the ‘assault rifles’ we all hear about) people often protest the distribution and owning of such weapons. Many would say such weapons belong only in the hands of military personnel – that is how the bill was intended. Thinking back to the time of the revolution, the British military used almost identical weapons as the American militias. What would have been of the founding of our country had the militia only been permitted to arm themselves with pistols and swords?
The 2nd amendment was put into the bill of rights for a very specific reason – to stop the very things that are happening in our country today. Taking away our freedoms to own what firearms we please is a direct, focused attack on the very foundation of our country – our ability to stop unjust rule and oppression. I do not care to think what should happen if such a powerful statement should go un-noticed.
Filed Under Viewpoints
Tagged: amendment, Brouwer, gun control, guns, Viewpoints, weapons
Email This Story
Print This Story
Loading ...
I am not in favor of making it illegal to own guns. But, a gun is not the best tool to protect you from oppression, these days. If you want to protect yourself from oppression, then make use of the resources available to you- the library, the Internet, etc…- and educate yourself.
What about tanks? Can we own tanks?
actually you can own a tank.. look it up
According the the United States War College at West Point, there are four places in the world that are considered militarily impossible to invade and occupy; Japan and Britain, because they are natural island fortresses whose people have an iron will, Russia, because it is a vast arctic wasteland that its people are accustomed to, and the United States, because of our 2nd amendment. Our right to bear arms makes every one of us, in the eyes of our enemies, a potential guerrilla who will fight an invading force until the death. While, in the current state of the world, a full scale invasion of the United States is highly unlikely, it is a deterrent to any major powers that may rival us in the future. Enacting gun control laws sets a precedent for a loss of this “insurance policy.” The 2nd amendment was written not only to ensure the behavior of our own government, but as a way to give us a strategic advantage that could never go away.
Defeating gun violence is not accomplished by enacting gun control laws. It is accomplished by a strong education that keeps people off of the streets. If guns are controlled, only criminals will have them, just as it was with alcohol during prohibition. The best way to combat gun violence is to have gun safety as a required school course in affected areas. It is not the use of guns we must prevent, but the irresponsible use.
I really like this article.
Our Founding Fathers intended us to bear arms to defend our people and our lands. I do not stand in anyway, shape, or form for gun control. This is our American right to hold weapons to defend ourselves against anything which threatens our rights unjustly. Thomas Briggs point is one I adamantly endorse and support. We must maintain this advantage at all cost. As for the eternal argument of “Guns Kill People” Your wrong. People kill people. If the reason we outlaw guns is because people are killed by them please also ban the possesion of these following items: Stick-like objects. Attack with swings or stabs. Examples: umbrella, fireplace poker, baseball bat, rolling pin, pool cue, tree branch, mop/broom handle, wrench.
Stone-like objects. Throw or hold in hand for delivering punches. Examples: ashtray, tumbler, statuette, bottle, plate, can.
Small objects. Distract the attackers attention. Examples: coins, wristwatch, keys.
Shield-like objects. Stop or deflect a strike, can be rigid or soft. Examples: wood board, chair, trash can lid, large saucepan, shoulder bag, briefcase.
Knife like objects. Stab or slash. Examples: broken bottle, scissors, sharp piece of metal, knitting needle, screwdriver.
Rope-like objects. Lash, entwine, strike, or tie up. Examples: rope, bicycle chain with lock, chain, belt.
Liquids and sprays. Throw or spray into face. Examples: beverage, hot coffee, soup, handful of sand, fire extinguisher.
Structures. Push or pull attacker into a stationary object. Examples: Table, counter, pole.
Combinations of the above. Some objects have 2 or more of the above characteristics. A chair can be used as a shield and stick. Sharp piece of glass thrown is both a stone and knife.
You can also use flaming or heated objects, and those carrying high voltage.
Once all of these items are outlawed it will then be logical to also ban firearms as all of these items can kill another human being.
Guns are an insurance policy for better or for worse written in potential bloodshed.
Another fact of life is it often takes war to make peace…
I am not a warmonger nor advocate fully arming yourself with a M4-System Carbine Fully Auotmatic Assault Rifle with Combat Grip handle, Red Dot Sight, 40x Optics, and 5.56 Anti-Body armor rounds. However until these weapons are no longer in the hands of criminals I hold the right to bear them as well. Being ready to accept that the world is not capable of joining hands and uniting is the first step into accepting your role as an American. Be prepared to stand for your rights at all times.