Gun-control laws cause me to fear for America?s historic freedoms

Josey1

Gun-control laws cause me to fear for America's historic freedoms I sat down recently to compose a letter to Governor Davis, pleading with him to veto the assault weapon bill sitting on his desk, but I read in the newspaper that he had already signed it.Not that I was surprised, as I realize the governor has some political IOU's to pay off regarding gun control.Unfortunately, this law - like so many others - is mislabeled a gun control measure when its real purpose ultimately is the prohibition of private gun ownership.My shooting buddies laughed at my comment a few years back when I predicted private gun ownership in this country would be outlawed in our lifetime. They're not laughing now. It happened in Australia and the United Kingdom. Of course, we have our Bill of Rights, which includes the Second Amendment. But then again, times have changed - and so have I.In defense of the Second Amendment - which outlines an inalienable right - I sent letters to politicians and newspapers. I called radio talk shows. I continued my support of organizations protecting the Second Amendment, sending in money when I could.I educated my neighbors about responsible gun ownership and helped them understand that the history of the Second Amendment isn't about armies, police or only militia. I stressed personal accountability with firearms. I left the Republican Party and joined the Libertarian Party, the only major party that unequivocally defends the Second Amendment.However, what could I do to influence the numerous factors that led to some misguided boys in Colorado to murder their classmates? Times have changed.This past Fourth of July - for the first time in my life - I did not fly the Stars and Stripes. After 22 years in the United States Marine Corps and as a patriot, this decision did not come easily for me. On more than one occasion, I have presented that flag - folded in the traditional triangular form - to a family member after the burial of a loved one. I have saluted it, defended it and honored it. Those who burn it and defile it turn my stomach, but I am against a change to our Constitution to prohibit such acts. The same Bill of Rights that protects the flag burner protects me - the gun owner. It is out of respect for our flag that I can no longer display it. Times have changed.The flag currently flying over my house is the historic Culpepper Minutemen flag, showing the coiled rattlesnake and stating defiantly, "Don't Tread On Me/Liberty or Death." Created by the minutemen of Culpepper, Virginia (organized by Patrick Henry), this flag says it all and reminds us of our revolutionary roots along with the beliefs held by those revolutionaries who realized the concept of inalienable rights - rights granted not by government, but by the Creator.Self-defense is one of those rights, as is the right to protect oneself against a government.Vice-President Hubert H. Humphrey once said, "The right of citizens to bear arms is just one more guarantee against arbitrary government, one more safeguard against the tyranny which now appears remote in America, but which historically has proved to be always possible."Those of you who believe that defending one's property and life is a right granted by God, not by lawmakers, should join with me and display the patriotic Culpepper flag.This patriotic act will show our unity. It will highlight our courage and commitment. It will indicate our peaceful desire to return to the princeiples outlined in the Declaration of Independence, which states, in part: "that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it and institute a new government . more likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."For now, respectfully fold your stars and stripes and look forward to the time when you can again display it. In the words of Patrick Henry, "I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death." http://www.armedfemalesofamerica.com/archive.php?aid=316