Politics

The Bill of Rights – Amendment 5

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No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Source: The National Archives and Records Administration, “The Charters of Freedom” exhibit.

The Bill of Rights – Amendment 4

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The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Source: The National Archives and Records Administration, “The Charters of Freedom” exhibit.

The Bill of Rights – Amendment 3

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No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Source: The National Archives and Records Administration, “The Charters of Freedom” exhibit.

The Bill of Rights – Amendment 2

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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.

Source: The National Archives and Records Administration, “The Charters of Freedom” exhibit.

The Bill of Rights – Amendment 1

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Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Source: The National Archives and Records Administration, “The Charters of Freedom” exhibit.

The Bill of Rights – Preamble

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Congress of the United States
begun and held at the City of New-York, on
Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.

Source: The National Archives and Records Administration, “The Charters of Freedom” exhibit.

The picture says it all

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Robbie shows us a picture that pretty much sums it up.

The track record isn’t good folks. What makes you think this will be any different?

Again, I’m not saying things are great and perfect, I’m not saying we don’t need improvements, but I am saying that more government is not the answer and will not solve our ills (pun intended).

White House Backs Right To Bear Arms, Even Outside Obama Events

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… if state laws allow, which is quite reasonable.

Such is the headline from the Washington Post. All in response to the “law-abiding citizen with a gun somewhere in the vicinity of the President” stuff that’s been going on lately. Commented on here and here. (h/t to Joe Huffman)

Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, said people are entitled to carry weapons outside such events if local laws allow it. “There are laws that govern firearms that are done state or locally,” he said. “Those laws don’t change when the president comes to your state or locality.”

Exactly. As mentioned previously, the folks in Arizona were totally within legal bounds, worked with the local police. They were far more upstanding citizens in their actions than most protesters tend to be.

Of course, Paul Helmke voiced his expected hysteria:

“What Gibbs said is wrong,” said Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. “Individuals carrying loaded weapons at these events require constant attention from police and Secret Service officers. It’s crazy to bring a gun to these events. It endangers everybody.”

So, following the law is wrong. Thanx, Paul. I’ll keep that in mind for the future.

And you’re saying that these law-abiding and right-exercising citizens need more babysitting than other folks at the event? Why? Oh that’s right, they have a gun and thus are immediately dangerous and scary. Funny how those folks in Arizona didn’t turn the event into the bloodbath that Helmke apparently predicts is imminent.

I fail to see who was endangered (other than Helmke’s agenda and job). Even the Secret Service said that there’s no danger.

If guns are so dangerous, I guess we should disarm the police and the Secret Service too. If guns are bad, then guns are bad. If people are endangered by the mere presence of lead and steel and levers and springs, then they’re endangered period. But you see, that’s the kicker. It’s not the gun that’s good or bad, it’s the person using the tool. Guns in the hands of good people do good. Guns in the hand of bad people do bad. It’s not the inanimate object, it’s the person. So we just had a bunch of good people out there doing good, but apparently somehow that endangers folks.

Frankly, the White House saying what they did was the best and really only move they could make. That is, they uphold the law.