Fifty years from now (assuming we haven’t suffered a Greek-style fiscal collapse), will we still enjoy our constitutional freedom of private gun ownership?
Sometimes I’m pessimistic about what will happen because politically correct educators are brainwashing our kids. We’ve even gotten to the point where a deaf kid can’t use sign language if his fingers somehow resemble a gun! And if you think that’s bizarre, check out these other horror stories of anti-gun hysteria in government schools.
And even though there’s currently a majority on the Supreme Court in favor of the Second Amendment, it’s only a one-vote margin. That doesn’t give me much comfort, particularly since we’ve seen examples of Justices ignoring their oath when subjected to political pressure.
Moreover, it’s difficult to be optimistic when a local government imposes a $1,000 fine on a man who uses an unregistered gun (gasp!) to save a child’s life.
On the other hand, I’m somewhat optimistic because gun owners and defenders of the Constitution have done a remarkable job in expanding and extending our Second Amendment rights at the state level.
For instance, check out this map of concealed-carry laws in the United States. The first thing to notice is that every single state allows citizens to carry, with the only real difference being whether the law is “shall issue” or “may issue.”
I’m a bit mystified, for what it’s worth, that Alabama has a relatively weak “may issue” law. Do they really want to be in the same anemic category as California?!?
Now let’s look at this map of stand-your-ground laws. The right of self-defense is not as ubiquitous as the right of concealed-carry, but the trend is very positive with more states moving from blue to red over time.
I’m puzzled why Nebraska and Missouri have weak New York-style laws, but I imagine those colors will change in a couple of years.
By the way, state legislatures are not the only place where we’re making progress. Thanks to scholars such as John Lott, it’s increasingly clear that social science research leans in favor of private gun ownership.
And I challenge anyone to defend gun control after reading this Larry Correia article.
But the biggest sign of progress may be that honest leftists are beginning to acknowledge the benefits of the Second Amendment. If you have squeamish friends and colleagues who favor gun control, show them this article from The Atlantic and this column from the New York Times.
I’m also encouraged by polling data that shows cops overwhelmingly reject the gun control agenda.
So what does all this mean? To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure. It does appear, however, that the political elite is moving in the wrong direction on the Second Amendment and the American people are moving in the right direction.
I don’t know what side will win, but it’s a safe bet that we’ll have some major political battles in the future.
P.S. If you enjoy anti-gun control humor, here are some amusing videos.
- A revealing look at how leftists think about gun control.
- A heartwarming adoption story.
- An amusing cartoon conversation between an anti-gun ideologue and a supporter of the Constitution.
- This Christmas greeting from the Second Amendment.
- Joe Biden’s self-defense advice.
And you can find lots of additional anti-gun control humor at this link.
P.P.S. If you outlaw tanks, only outlaws will have tanks.
P.P.P.S. Feel free to add your vote to my poll on the most important reason to defend the Second Amendment.
P.P.P.P.S. Last but not least, here are some serious videos on the folly of gun control
- Ted Nugent talking about gun ownership and the right of self defense.
- A look at the Switzerland’s strong gun culture and the importance of self defense as a protection against oppression.
- And some very powerful testimony to some weasels on Capitol Hill (make sure to pay attention around the 5:00 mark).
- Ice-T talking about the real reason to defend and support the 2nd Amendment.
- A Reason TV video with five facts for Vice President Biden’s task force.
- A look at how a young woman can defend herself.
- A 15-year old speaks truth to power.
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We have NO Second Amendment rights! How can I say that? Thanks to the background checks one has to undergo when purchasing a gun. A background check amounts to seeking permission from a gov’t bureaucrat to buy a gun. Well, if you have to seek permission to do something, you do not have the RIGHT to do that something; it is a mere privilege…
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The second map for Rhode Island is wrong. RI is a Castle Doctrine state and while not “Stand Your Ground” in the strongest sense, RI does have relatively strong self-defense language when not in your home and generally prosecutors only go after those where deadly force was used and self-defense is questionable. In RI, there is no duty to retreat an area where you are legally allowed to be, but use of deadly force must fall under the traditional definitions of self-defense and that practically means that use of deadly force, under those conditions, are not prosecuted. Arrested, yes; Investigated, yes; prosecuted, rarely.
The first map is also a bit misleading on RI; it is a shall issue/may issue state where local police chiefs are “shall issue” and the Attorney General is “may issue” but under both the applicants still have to show a reason for concealed carry and general self-defense is not enough. Additionally, many police chiefs are not doing their job and just forwarding to the Attorney General and each town is having to be sued to follow the law.
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That map clearly isn’t red enough. Keep after it patriots.
Dan, this is good news indeed! As an Alaskan i feel compelled to make a couple small points: Alaska has recently changed it’s laws removing the duty to retreat outside the home. Additionally while it is true Alaska has a “shall issue” concealed carry permit policy it is worth pointing out that we are a constitutional carry state with no permit required for adults to carry concealed. One of only seven states to have it right in my opinion. Keep up the great work !!
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gun owners will not give up their firearms… civil disobedience will occur on an unprecedented scale if the government tries to nullify the second amendment… we can expect increased regulatory pressure… outrageous political exploitation of tragic events and outright anti-gun propagandizing by elected officials bureaucrats… and educators… but it would be an extremely foolish move to attempt to seize legally owned firearms from the general population… foolish and politically destructive…
Looking at all the noise about the 2nd Amendment, it comes down to three basic components. 1) There are people that believe in the Constitutiom and the words in the literal meaning. I belive the Constitution is the absolute foundation and Proclumation of America’s core of “We the People”.
2) Next, we have voted a select group of people into political office that we have lent power to inact the demands of the citizens with following and obeying the Constitution as the supreme law of our Country. The afore mentioned ‘power’ was never meant to be a tool to mold or change it’s core beliefs and it’s literal meanimg at the whims of the elected officials by perception or deception. Now it’s up to the American citizens to stay united and vote only people into these politically powerfull positions who have demonstrated that they share the unyielding beliefs of the Constitution and A focus at restorimg this Country. Unfortunately to many of us have either forget, ignored, dismiss, disrespect and refuse to uphold their oath and carry out the demands of the ‘Citizens’.
3) The First Amendment must always hold its place in the Constitution as it was written. However, like the Nine other Rights a resposibility is expected by those who ecercise them. This has clearly not been done. Therefore, it is also of paramount importance our newly elected officials focus on enforcing these responsibilities of those who have demonstrated their practice of being responsible to honor them and respect their spirit and intent.
Peter Wheeler
My ultimate belief is that, I, in the sovereign country, Wyoming will be completely happy in fifty years w/ all of my rights fully intact, except 4, 5, 6, and 8 in the bill of rights and will occasionally have to venture into the great country of Southern Colorado under cover of darkness for supplies.
I’m really glad that you’ve been using your skill at sourced, factual writing to bolster the 2nd amendment argument. It is helping the cause.
As a self-professed economics ‘wonk’ myself, I like to see it coming from more than Ted Nugent and Guns and Ammo magazine.