In today’s hotly debated political scene it is not difficult to find sportsmen engaged in conversations about gun control. Everything from “Gun control is holding it tighter.” To comments of controlling the sale, possession, transfer and disposal of all guns. From handguns, to rifles and shotguns. We will discuss in detail many of these issues in the coming weeks, but for now let’s look at the bigger picture.
Some editorial liberties are being taken by the author on this topic since as a sportsman and writer it is near and dear to my heart and livelihood.
As a sportsman I strongly support the 2nd amendment, of the US constitution which states; 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.
For many sportsmen and women, and those who do not possess our passion or affinity for firearms this is a simple statement. But the wording is critical, here. Little did our founding fathers know that this simple sentence would be so hotly debated and challenged in the legislation and in the courts. And today, it is still one of the most hotly debated and divisive sentences in our country. It is important to note that one word, and one word alone has kept this amendment intact and that word is ‘shall’.
Had the sentence read, may not or should not, or even can-not the liberal courts would have found a way to redefine the meaning of the 2nd amendment. And as we have seen in recent rulings, the court is not above making legislation instead of interoperating legislation. But the words, shall not. Have made it very difficult for the left and courts to overturn the meaning of the 2nd amendment.
This being the case there are other ideas in the works that will make it difficult for the future of gun ownership. The easiest way for a government to gain control of its people is to disarm them. Here is where we as sportsmen and women must unite and stand strong against the rulings of the courts and the legislation and president.
It is important for all gun owners to have a clear and informed intelligent voice to convince those in the middle that owning a gun does not inherently make one bad or evil. We will never change the mind of the left who hate all guns and gun owners. But we do have an influence on the majority in the middle who do not have a dog in the fight. It is important for us to be informed and to notify our representatives and let them know where we are on the issue. The united voice of the gun owners and the passionate fight to keep our right to keep and bear arms is a fight that will last for several more decades. We as sportsmen and women need to prepare for and be willing to defend our constitutional right to keep our legally purchased guns. Whether they are heirlooms, gifts, hand-me-downs or outright purchases. These are our guns and we need to defend the right to own them just as we have the right to breathe.
The declaration of independence contains the words, that many have said is the best sentence in the English language; We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
These same men who signed the Declaration of Independence also penned and signed the Constitution. These same men, wrote, approved and signed into law the Bill of Rights – these same Bill of Rights are directly tied to the statement in the Declaration – we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable Rights – that among these are – – – – the RIGHT of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
