From my blog:

THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS

“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

Or so says the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution of these United States.

A lot of folks like this amendment.

They feel it gives them some sense of individual sovereignty. I do find it odd that these same folks only choose to quote a portion of the amendment. They often leave out the “well regulated militia” part and they seem to perhaps forget to ask the question “regulated by who?” or perhaps “what?”. No matter – they like their guns and they can have them.

Anyone who’s ever had a gun pointed at them in a hostile manner knows the feeling of wanting one to point back. So I get it. I do. We all like to feel safe.

Safe. We like safety. Security. And the freedom to enjoy it.

But why did some folks feel the need to show up to a Presidential appearance armed to the teeth – or at least biceps – with semi-automatic rifles and hand guns? There was no need to have the guns there. No battle was expected and nobody needed armed intervention seeing as how the Secret Service and local Police force were in attendance – and I doubt they needed extra help. So why come to the President of the United States’ appearance in Arizona ready for a fight? To protest? To protest what?

According to the Arizona Republic one of the men with an automatic rifle who wished to not be identified reportedly said that he brought the weapons because he could and that “In Arizona, I still have some freedoms.”

Some? Some freedoms?

Wait…didn’t want to be identified? You mean showing up with a gun to an event where the Secret Service would be present meant you get to keep your anonymity?

And I’m sorry, wouldn’t, I mean, if I was to want to take freedoms away from folks wouldn’t I start with the one about the guns? And then proceed from there? If my intention was to take away freedoms I’d want to keep you from shooting at me first I’d think. But no matter. Back to that issue. Freedoms…he said “some”, meaning “some others” were perhaps no longer available. All out.

What freedoms have been taken away exactly?

Well the answer is none. So why is this guy showing up with a posse when our President is speaking about Health Care? This guy was angry. Riled up about losing nothing. And at the wrong event even. If Obama was talking about gun control laws to make it harder for kids to show up to their high schools and take out their hormonal rage in a barrage of bullets I’d maybe get the context. So why did they show up?

As far as I know well…no one knows why exactly – we all have our thoughts on it though.

It does however point out the difference between right wing and left wing activists, between left and right extremism – when the right gets angry they show up with guns and occasionally kill doctors – when the left gets angry they give speeches, put on plays and chain themselves to things – maybe blow up a building to free some monkey’s.

Both on the fringe at times. Both like making hand painted signs depicting the other as Hitler or a Nazi. Both are filled with hatred or aggressive frustration. Both scream very loudly making it difficult to hear what they are saying. Both have the right to bear arms but only one side shows up packing semi-automatic heat.

It makes me wonder if either side bothered to remember where they lived. In the United States of America – we have laws – we have regulation – because some of our citizens occasionally get angry and occasionally like to take out their hormonal rage on each other. And that regulation is a good thing and it doesn’t mean they can’t have their guns. They forget that it’s their government, not the government. Which means the only freedom they should be paying more attention to is the freedom to vote for who they want to represent them in their government.

No one’s trying to take their guns. Can someone please tell them that and why you’re telling them about how safe their guns are hand them a document – you can download it as an app – it’s the U.S Constitution. It’s a good read. Might calm their nerves and remind them where they live. Remind them that they’re safe. And free.

Take it from someone who once had a gun pointed at him on the border between two countries – neither of them the United States.

From:

http://avocadojungle.com/2009/08/admin/the-right-to-bear-arms