Gun Control

The hot topic for the last few days has been gun control legislation.  Sigh.  The issue just won't go away.

The Constitution is clear on the rights of the people to own firearms.  It is a clause included because of the tendency of government to tyrannize citizens who are unable to defend themselves.  Are you as a taxpayer feeling a bit tyrannized lately?

I am not advocating armed revolution.  I am advocating balance.  The possibility of armed revolt is a check against the tyranny of government.  It is one of those "separation of powers" clauses that seeks to create balance.  Without the threat of opposition, any power tends to dominate.  The right of the citizens to bear arms is an attempt to balance the power of the citizen against the power of the state.

I realize the argument is that people are murdered by firearms.  Yes, they are.  And by knives and hammers and ladders and cars and medical malpractice and wars and the list goes on and on.  It is a cliche but, "guns don't kill people, people kill people" is a true statement.  Criminals will find weapons and commit crimes.  Firearms in the hands of reasonable citizens is a means of self-protection. 

Gun Control is merely another attempt by those in power to consolidate that power.  It is a means by which politicians can play on the "heartstrings" of a gullible public to gain power over a broader group of people.  It is not about protecting people from violence, it is about gaining power.

If we continue to allow power to accrete to those in Washington we will eventually fall into a completely subservient state.  I find that extremely unpalatable.  I prefer freedom to slavery.