Constitutional Rights

From 1775 to 1783 thousands of courageous American patriots lost their lives in a fight for liberty. After the American War for Independence, the founders knew that they could not protect their hard-won freedom without devising a constitution and government. The U.S. Constitution was specifically formed to prevent tyranny from government power and protect the fundamental rights of all Americans. The American Revolution and the framing of the Constitution represent to all of us a legacy that demands our utmost respect and patriotism. As mentioned previously, the founders incorporated the right to bear arms in the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution.
Today both state and federal judiciaries and legislators seek to legislate gun rights. Some may deem this simply an attack on the 2nd Amendment only, but there is a more dangerous risk involved. What exactly is the effect of gun legislation on constitutional rights? Is it possible that gun legislation undermines constitutional rights? Consider the following argument: Gun legislation establishes a precedent that judges and legislators can infringe upon fundamental constitutional rights. Laws or court rulings that infringe upon gun rights (a fundamental constitutional right) sets a precedent that can be used to justify undermining other constitutional rights. Obviously the founders considered the right to bear arms so important that they delineated it immediately after guaranteeing the four basic human rights. If legislation and ruling are allowed to pass that trespass on the 2nd amendment, what will come next? Awakening to this reality should motivate each of us to consider the many sacrifices that were made to secure the rights we enjoy. It is our duty and priviledge to protect these constitutional rights and honor our patriotic legacy.

Introduction to Gun Rights

Nearly every day I hear a comment or see a news story that causes me to think back to the many patriots who so valiantly fought for liberty during the American Revolution. In a world of turmoil and political corruption, I am proud to be an American and to live in a free country. As an American I share the rich and inspiring legacy of the founding of our country and feel a solemn responsibility to uphold and protect the freedoms that so many lost their lives to secure. In recent years, basic constitutional rights have come under discussion and have even been infringed upon. One of the most fundamental rights, the right to bear arms, has come under particular controversy lately and runs the risk of becoming more and more constricted.

The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution declares: “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.” Essentially, the right to bear arms is not only the right to a fundamental liberty, but it is the right to a secure method of maintaining our freedom against tyranny. For diverse reasons, many politicians and organizations seek to encroach on this right and restrict its availability to all law-abiding Americans. The frequent argument for banning gun rights relies heavily on the use of guns for violence. Undoubtedly, this produces a legitimate concern; but punishment should be directed to the criminal, not to the constitutional guarenteed right to bear arms. These specific agendas to regulate and restrict gun rights will be discussed further on. For now, I awaken our attention to understanding why the Second Amendment is essential to liberty and what we can do to protect this fundamental right. I will discuss the above topics throughout the upcoming weeks.