Political Rant

For those of you who know me, you know that I support the legal purchase, concealment, and carrying of protection firearms.

For those of you who don't know me, I support the legal purchase, concealment, and carrying of protection firearms.

That being said, I took a lead from one of my college friends in e-mailing the state government regarding their inaction at protecting my right to support the legal purchase, concealment, and carrying of protection firearms. This is what I told them:

I support the legal purchase, concealment, and carrying of protection firearms. (Ha ha, just kidding. Copy/Paste humor.) But really...

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Thank you for taking the time to hear the concerns of the people you represent. I know your time is important and will make this fairly quick: The actions being taken against the 2nd Amendment are unacceptable. What is being purposed is unconstitutional and tramples on the right of Americans to own firearms. In fact, I would like to remind you of several court cases that you may or may not be familiar with:

1. United Stated v. Cruikshank (1875) - Court ruling said that “the Second Amendment… has no other effect than to restrict the powers of the national government.” The Court also went so far as to suggest that “for their protection in its enjoyment, the people must look to the States” for support. One might even be able to apply the 14th Amendment on the grounds that the Court said it “prohibits a State from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” And no, I don’t think it matters that this occurred during the Civil War era, and is entangled in the chaos of that time period. Who’s to say that a similar situation couldn’t arise from those who perceive themselves to be in power (i.e., a militia created out of martial law) against those striving to exercise their rights (i.e., law-abiding Americans)?

2. Presser v. Illinois (1886) - Court ruling determined that the States still had the right to regulate the militia, but that the citizens had no right to create their own or have weapons for semi-military purposes. Semi-automatic firearms that are properly acquired, stored, and utilized for self-defense are NOT being used for semi-military purposes. I fully support punishing those who break the law; however, I also fully believe that exercising such constraints on law-abiding citizens is grossly unjust and supports taking advantage of the taxpayers that voted you into office in the first place.

3. District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) - Court ruling determined that “The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self defense within the home.” History shows that dangerous or unusual weapons were prohibited, and often times rightfully so. Additionally, if you want to get into specifics about the guns themselves, the Court also ruled that “the requirement that any lawful firearm in the home be disassembled or bound by a trigger lock makes it impossible for citizens to use arms for the core lawful purpose of self-defense and is hence unconstitutional.” Simply stated, to propose constraints on the weapons so that they are essentially useless in the time that they are really needed is ridiculous and completely counterintuitive to promoting the American people’s rights to protection.

Furthermore, the way this is being handled also unacceptable. To completely bypass Congress and implement these policies through Executive Orders is immoral and a slap in the face to the USA. As congressmen you should be infuriated that a President would belittle your part of Legislation and bypass you completely to get what he wants. This amendment is not just about hunting and sport but also protection from tyranny. Please remember that point I made earlier about our 14th Amendment rights to due process -- the checks and balances of this republic were established for a reason, so that no branch of the government would become overpowered and mutate America into a vile and oppressive state. To trample on your rights as legislators by taking executive action is a far cry from checks, balances, republicanism or the American ideals that so many have died to protect, and continue to do so daily.

I ask of you to do your sworn duty and protect the 2nd Amendment from these attacks and force the current administration to go through the due process of Legislation. Again thank you for your time, and God bless the USA.

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So what have I done for myself so far this week? I taught. I wrote. I took decisive action to contact my legislation and voice my opinion. Aside from my stomach being angry with me, I feel like a little bit of the huge weight I've been carrying around has lifted. I encourage you to look up your State representation and give them the what-for on standing by while the President runs rampant with our entitlements.