Thursday, April 4, 2013

The Second Amendment...

THE MEANING OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT...by "Law and Order Teacher"..a terrific man,  a friend and fellow blogger.


I wrote the following letter to our local newspaper.  I was tired of the people trashing the Constitution without much knowledge of the history surrounding the writing and inclusion of the Bill of Rights.  The discussion over gun rights degenerated into a name-calling contest.  It's sad that disagreement leads to such stupidity.  The New Town disaster effected us all.  The fact that I and those of like mind, want the Second Amendment to be understood and followed doesn't mean we don't feel pain for those lost and their families.  It just means we aren't to blame and we shouldn't be the scapegoat for anti-gun people.

I wrote:

I am a history teacher, a retired police officer, and a military veteran. My understanding of the Second Amendment is colored by my personal experiences and my knowledge of history. To say that some of the letters I've read are missing the point of the amendment is an understatement. From an historical perspective it is necessary to take into account the situation in the colonies as it pertains to their relations with the British prior to the Revolution.

To the American colonists, a standing army was the very embodiment of oppression. After all, the British Army enforced the laws. Throughout the 1760s, the various heavy taxes that so enflamed the colonists, were levied as the British Army fulfilled the role of what we know as the police. The Battle of Lexington and Concord that took place on April 19, 1775, was prompted by two things. The British certainly wanted to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock, rabble-rousers for sure, but they also wanted to find a reported stash of weapons and gunpowder that was rumored to be in the area. In other words, the British wanted to disarm the colonists. Compliance to tyrannical British policies would more easily be pressed upon a defenseless citizenry.

The Constitution was signed without a "Bill of Rights" that was later added. I caution my students constantly against looking at the Bill of Rights without taking into account the history of when it was written. If one were to doubt that the founders feared a standing army and its tyranny, look at the Third Amendment which prohibits quartering of soldiers, or the forced housing of British soldiers in private homes. These were people, who suffered real government oppression, so they wrote the Bill of Rights to preclude a repeat of their experiences.

Looking at the Second Amendment gives us the phrase " A well regulated militia." An understanding of history tells us that the "militia" was synonymous with "the people." After all, who were the militia, other than the people?  The founders feared government power and they wanted to make it clear that an armed people is a free people. The phrase "well regulated" refers to the First, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments which regulates and enumerates the powers of any police force, be it militia or otherwise.

The founders had a specific agenda in mind when they wrote the Bill of Rights. They understood oppression as only they could. In present day America, government oppression is much more subtle. I don't anticipate taking up arms against my government anytime soon, but we need to understand what the Bill of Rights means. As Thomas Jefferson said, "When the people fear the government there is tyranny, when the government fears the people there is democracy." If the government were to take away any of the rights of the people enumerated in the Bill of Rights, it would break an agreement between the people and their government that has kept us free for over two hundred years.

Z:  Excellent, isn't it.   Please comment here or at Law and Order's...I know he'll be here to read your comments and we'd both like to hear them.

Thanks, and thanks to YOU, Law and Order.  (blog more!)


xx

26 comments:

JonBerg said...

I just scanned every thing but, as I've said over and over: The 2nd Amendment is the "Keystone" of our "Bill Of Rights" , thus our Constitution and therefore our freedom! It's late, more tomorrow; well, actually today. Good topic!

Always On Watch said...

THIS VIDEO may be of interest.

Darth Bacon said...

So just hours after the North Koreás military backed up its threat to carry out a nuclear strike on the U.S.A. North Korea's Kim Jong Un gives the Green Light to Bomb America.

Zippy and those other those Dipwad Leftist Norks in his administration ran to Colorado to once again plead his case for “MORE” and “new” gun laws and restrictions!
Haven’t we heard more that enough of his “Staged” sob stories? Don’t we already know all this. And don’t we already have enough gun laws on our books now? And when is this hair-brained Community Organizer going to stop campaigning? One day it’s voting rights for the minorities, the next day gun control background checks, immigration reform, then health care, then student loans or climate change drilling; then gay marriage, then minimum-wage laws for hamburger flippers,! Enough of this preaching to us! We already elected a Pope!
My concern right now is when if ever is he going to show Kim Jong Un that we are NOT going to stand still and listen to these threats be them empty of not! Protecting our country from missile attacks by a crazy man is a no-brainer. We have heard enough about Gun Control and Gay Marriage. And I don’t want to hear Joe Biden tell us NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE NORTH KOREANS OR THE IRANIAN’S . And Chuck Hagel says this is Not Acceptable, well DUH!

If I wanted to hear that, I’d ask Dennis Rodman for his opinion!

Always On Watch said...

Darth Bacon,
So just hours after the North Koreás military backed up its threat to carry out a nuclear strike on the U.S.A. North Korea's Kim Jong Un gives the Green Light to Bomb America.

How much firepower does NK have?

Craig said...

An understanding of history tells us that the "militia" was synonymous with "the people."

The body of the Constitution makes it clear what a militia is and what "well regulated" means.

Article 1, Section 8, Clauses 15 & 16,

Clause 15. The Congress shall have Power To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions.

Clause 16. The Congress shall have Power To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress.


Nothing in there about crazy guys dressed up in camo running around in the woods calling themselves "citizen militia".

Law and Order is right about the founders fear of a standing army during peacetime. Is he against our current standing army?

I don't anticipate taking up arms against my government anytime soon,

That's good because whether it's sooner or later, the Constitution is quite clear on what "taking up arms against my government" is. Article 3, Section 3,

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them,

Got that? Treason. Nothing in the Bill of Rights negates what is in the body of the Constitution.

As Thomas Jefferson said, "When the people fear the government there is tyranny, when the government fears the people there is democracy."

That's a powerful quote. Too bad it's bogus, Jefferson never said it. If you can source it I will gladly recant. I'd think a teacher would be more careful when appealing to the Founders.







Darth Bacon said...

Always On Watch said...
Darth Bacon,
" How much firepower does NK have?"

And you ask that why?

Is that important?
Would it be satisfactory if they were "ONLY" capable of destroying, 500, or 100, or 50 or ONLY 25 people, would that make you feel better?

What do you think Reagan do about North Korea at this point? Would he have been running around the country either campaigning or going on vacations? Or making speeches about Gay Marriage and Gun Control?
Or would he have said, "He'd have to sleep on it." Like he did with the Bin Ladin raid?

Even Chuck Hagel said that North Korea posed a "real and clear danger" and what is being done?
Look, lets look at the facts, a Fat little Crazy man who happens to be the leader of North Korea has threatened missile and nuclear strikes against the USA. And we are supposed to say this looks like a "real and clear danger", and that's it?
Maybe we should wait and see if they are just words or if they are crazy enough to do it as Japan did it to us on Dec. 7, 1941!
But OK, just wake me up when they have decided to something, because as far as I'm concerned, we heard more than enough.
I would send enough force over there TIGHT NOW and show them that they are not fooling with the weaklings that Obama seems to being showing the world we are.

Was it more important to send our troops to Egypt?
He's says he has Nuclear Bomb and will use them. Should we wait for another another Pearl Harbor? We are dealing with a Crazy and Desperate Lunatic.
The bottom line is that we really don't know if they have the capability or not. What if they do and are planning a missile attack and they do have nuclear bombs? Should we increase the Sanctions? We've been there before!

Constitutional Insurgent said...

The Second Amendment is as sacrosanct as the rest. It's merit should not be suffered by fools, as we see happening every. single. day.

Ed Bonderenka said...

Craig: Heller.

Ed Bonderenka said...

Craig: Also, it was treason against Britain. Do you have a problem with that?

Anonymous said...

Craig,
Thanks for your reply. The founders viewed the militia as only they could, a product of the people, as is our government. A standing army is incredibly costly and was money they didn't have. So they talked of a militia made up of the people and that it be well-regulated. It is apparent that they left the regulation of the militia up to the states.

I was in the military and therefore I respect it. It is however, made up of the people. As part of our social contract with the government we choose to give up some of our rights to secure liberty. A professional military is part of the contract. You will note however, I'm sure, that there are laws precluding the military enforcing laws against civilians. That would indicate the need for that assurance to the citizens.

I believe the "Super" police forces we have today tread dangerously close to paramilitary organizations whose powers have expanded too close to becoming more military than police. This is from a 30 year law enforcement veteran.

As for taking arms against my government, I don't own camos nor do I tramp around in the woods. I don't even hunt or fish.

I know what treason is and I don't need you to try to accuse me of it. I think I've proven through my life in the military and the police that I'm not treasonous and in fact I'm quite the patriot. One that put his life on the line in the service of my country.

As for the Jefferson quote I've heard it many times and read it many places. I'm not smart enough to make it up.

Good day, sir.

Ducky's here said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
JonBerg said...

"In present day America, government oppression is much more subtle."

AMEN!

We must remain vigilant. There will always be those who will [oppress] and there will always be those who will allow themselves to become oppressed, incrementally. Living proof of this lies in the fact that the Frog Boiler-in-Chief got elected, not once but TWICE! I just heard him pooh-poohing the idea of us keeping firearms because of any fear of our Government, after all [he] is a big part of it! I didn't see him (TVs in another room) but I bet he was smirking in his steadfastely condescending way. Yes, we as a society are plagued by the disease known as Liberalism; a serious mental illness. If this pestilence is not eradicated WE and, in particular, our lineage are doomed. That is if it's not already too late. In that case I pray, more than ever, that there is no such thing as reincarnation!

Z said...

Ducky, your smugness disqualified you.
you said absolutely nothing about ME or to ME, so let's not hear how uncourageous I am for deleting, okay?
And don't go to Always On Watch again and whine that Z deletes you.

I will not have Law and Order spoken to like that. I know he can handle anything you come up with just fine, but it doesn't fly here.. Craig's always smug but you should know better.

Thank you.

Ducky's here said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Z said...

and you're gone.
I had no horse in that race, so please don't call ME a coward.
As I said previously, when you put your heart on the line every single day on your own blog, let's talk about who's a coward, okay, Ducky?
Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Z,
I appreciate that you don't put up with Ducky as he is a snipe artist with no courage to put himself out there. It's gutless to snipe at someone else without put your own thoughts on display for all to see. People like him chase a lot of good bloggers off the field. I wore myself out fighting with these people and gave up. Now that my family is stabilized I'll get out there more.

Anonymous said...

Z,
Oh, and BTW, Ducky needs to get a sense of humor. Sometimes I kind of sarcastic. That's a high form of humor that requires some intelligence to get.

Z said...

Law and Order...thanks for the reminder.
Sometimes I give Ducky some credit and then he always takes advantage.

I'm hoping "Stabilized" is an adjective that becomes even better very soon, but it seems that it's taken some energy and prayers just to get there and I am glad to hear this. You know I, and many others, will be happy when you are finding the time and desire to share your writings with us again.

JonBerg said...

Ducky sure gets a lot of attention and that's exactly what he wants!

Z said...

JonBerg....
Who cares, really? People who get the attention are the dissenters, those who disagree with posts and comments; that's the way it goes.
He and I, and a few of the other posters here (Imp, Always On Watch, etc.) have about 15 year history with him.
Put up with it...I can't stand Conservative echo chamber blogs.

But, I will not have people who insult and continue to mischaracterize here. Name calling and belittlement doesn't fly with me.

Anonymous said...

Tis a very dangerous and sad day for the second amendment, our free republic , our freedoms and the Sanctity of the Constitution.

Without any acceptance of protest and dissent...the once free , law abiding citizens and gun owners of Connecticut, have been placed under a Governors edict and illegal law. The once law abiding citizens have now become potential criminals in the socialist state...whose asinine actions are completely useless and will not solve one thing or prevent another shooting in that socialist pit.

I hope that the 6 or 7 Gun Manufactures located in CT will leave that state. Taking thousands of jobs with them, and their healthy tax revenue that should not go to a "government" that deny's it's citizens any rights.

These smug bastards have just committed the indefensible by joining the twerps in Assachusetts, Colorado, California, NY and the worst yet ...the wild west of Illinois...who claim.."it's for the children".

MagPul, who manufactures magazines is leaving Colorado...Bravo. Jobs, tax revenue...will have to be replaced by raising taxes on the prisoners that have to stay.

Anonymous said...

Law and Order:

It wouldn't be the same place without you.

Like all libby loons...they're the most unhappy, unfulfilled, miserable skunks on the planet. Unless they're suffocating your rights or killing babies ( yet they care so much about Newtown ), or dumping on cop cars, trashing businesses or planting bombs somewhere...they are joyless freaks.

Anonymous said...

Z,
Thanks for the encouragement of you and your readers.

Pris said...

Craig,
The first ten Amendments(Bill of Rights)to the Constitution were ratified effective December 15, 1791.

Amendment II.
A well regulated militia being necessary to a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.

Now let me quote Rahm Emanuel when he worked for Obama: "A good crisis should not go to waste!"

Now the way I see this is, the horror of those children being killed was, as far as I'm concerned in the eyes of the administration and the left, "a good crisis" to take advantage of.

But then, since Saul Alinsky dedicated his book(the left's bible)to Lucifer we shouldn't be surprised should we!

Z said...

L&O...you're very well liked and admired.

Pris, imagine? Lefties don't even realize they're practicing Alinsky's methods and that his dedication was to Lucifer. But, then, what do they care, right?
Didn't Hillary do her dissertation on Alinsky? I remember that wasn't released until after Clinton's election...a few years after, I believe.

You know how I feel about how FOX and Beck and Hannity and all the other opinionists have been demonized ..it's PURE ALINSKY.
They have every right to their opinions, they're not 10% as well dispersed as ANY leftwing opinions EVERYWHERE, but the Alinsky-Left picks on the personalities so the WORDS aren't listened to.
Coulter, for example, gets very NEw England-ish in her speaking delivery and the left jumps on that and her views, but she's very often right..SO, they insult personality instead.
And it's working very well. THis has been planned for years, I believe...and the putting into action's working like a charm.
They'll be so sorry when they wake up to what they've believed and what they've done to democracy and the 2-party system.

Pris said...

HI Z,
Yes, that was the subject of Hillary's dissertation. Evidently she wasn't put off about his dedication to Lucifer!

Of course the only reason it's working is because the State Run Media has adopted it!