Challenges of the Second Amendment Ensue

Written into the constitution in 1791, the second amendment allows Americans the right to keep and bare arms. In the late 1700's, the right to bare arms was attributed to:

• deterring tyrannical government;
• repelling invasion;
• suppressing insurrection;
• facilitating a natural right of self-defense;
• participating in law enforcement;
• enabling the people to organize a militia system.

Deterring tyrannical government means - Cruel and oppressive government or rule. A nation under such cruel and oppressive government; which firearms would be used to correct.

Repelling invasion means - To drive or force an attacker back or away using a firearm.

Suppressing insurrection means - To forcibly put to an end by using a violent uprising of firearms against an authority or government: "opposition to the new regime led to armed insurrection."

As you can imagine two of these defined principles of the right to bare arms caused much angst between our 4th President James Madison who's known as the 'Father of the Constitution', and leaders in government that opposed the United States Constitution often known as Anti-Federalists. 

Madison didn't invent the right to keep and bare arms for civilians when he drafted the second amendment, it was strictly to provide assurances to moderate Anti-Federalists that the military would not be disarmed. James Madison was conflicted between gun control laws and the right for civilians to use firearms, in order to rebel against unjust governments. 

However, George Mason who's known as the 'Father of the Bill of Rights' was an Anti-Federalist, American Patriot, statesman, and delegate from Virginia who lead those seeking more explicit state rights and individual rights to the U.S. Constitution, as a balance to increased federal powers. 

Although James Madison wasn't a fan of the previously defined words (tyrannical government and suppressing insurrection) George Mason, was a big fan of them and initiated the Bill of Rights as a way of convincing Federalists to add the first ten amendments of the Constitution which are; Freedom of Speech, Right to keep and bear arms, Conditions for quarters of soldiers, Right of search and seizure, Provisions concerning prosecution, Right to a speedy trial, Right to a trial by jury, Excessive bail/cruel punishment, Rule of construction of Constitution, Rights of the States under Constitution. 

Click here for US Constitution information.

George Mason was an avid supporter of slavery and owned many African slaves. Two reasons why Mason was an Anti-Federalist (opposed to the U.S. Constitution), was because the Constitution didn't protect the right of states to allow slavery to continue where it already existed, and it didn't allow Congress to stop the immediate importation of more slaves to the United States of America. 

These views differed from President James Madison, who was staunchly opposed to slavery and felt it was bad for both the slave and the slave holder -- although Madison kept his own slaves for his whole life. 

Fast forward to 2012 where modern day slavery exists due to inequality among the middle class and the working poor, and government is still debating over gun control laws. 

Prior to him becoming President, Barack Obama in the past has supported strict gun control measures but also signed an amendment allowing people to take loaded guns into national parks. 

Former President Bill Clinton passed a crime bill which featured a ban on assault-style weapons, and under former President George W. Bush he allowed that crime bill to expire with no regards too renew it. Currently, Obama has been silent on this matter, perhaps due to the power of gun lobbyists who are opposed to any law controlling guns?

Furthermore, there are probably civilians that believe in the extreme views of deterring tyrannical government and suppressing insurrection, both of which can be dangerous to our American society. And with extreme views like this taking form, America can easily become another Syria or Libya with citizens using their right to bare arms as a way of invoking what they deem as justice. 

Republicans are fierce supporters of the second amendment, and challenges any and all that dare to offer resistance to this law. 

Republican Wayne LaPierre, CEO and Executive Vice President of the NRA (National Rifle Association), had this to say on September of 2011,

"The fight is on for 2012. Anybody who says gun owners won't be a factor has not paid attention to the history of elections in our great country. Every time freedom is at risk it is fought for and preserved by the work, the wallets and the will of millions of NRA members and gun owners and patriots. In the face of peril, we always stand up."

"Our liberty in this country lives in the Second Amendment, the fundamental right that separates us from all other nations on earth. That freedom makes us better than other countries. That freedom makes us stronger than other countries."

Liberty is defined as: The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life; and LaPierre stated, "Our liberty in this country lives in the Second Amendment."  

But I thought our core American principles were Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness? When did assault rifles get factored into that? The history of America's government shows those who exploit the laws of government for personal gain, and those that work tirelessly to end the exploitation of the American people. 

There are those that consciously understand the difference between right and wrong, but will carry on the traditions of their families or whatever indoctrination of study that is followed. And there are those who are unconsciously ignorant but if educated, they stand a chance to make up their own minds. 

We can't revert back to the days of the Civil War, simply because we now have our first Black president in office. It doesn't make since to fight each other over what's morally correct, when all we have to do is civilly compromise. 

2012 LA