Gun Rights and the Supreme Court - Libertarian David Boaz

[writersblock26]

Thank you for posting this, ForaTv.

[Achilles9924]

There only thing that should be taken into consideration regarding gun control is mental stability.

[eurohim]

The guys who wrote the constitution said that the militia is the people as a whole and have gone into detail about how people need to carry guns. You'd think that would be good enough.

[newbombturk99]

If you are anti-gun put a sign on your lawn saying GUN FREE ZONE here

[LightofJah81]

@newbombturk99 If you're "anti-gun", you're a moron.

[ornerykitty]

@LightofJah81 I carry a .45 in my purse. Though it has done me no good as this guy keeps bugging me on the internet. cant shoot him, I would like someone too. His name is Jason Knudsen he lives in Utah, not sure if I can say his name on the net. Someone needs to put that fucker in his place. But I am getting away with myself. You are retarded if you believe in getting rid of guns. Creeps like that guy deserve to be gunned down.

[LightofJah81]

@ornerykitty If you would've read my comment correctly, like a competent person, you wouldn't have had to insult me by calling me retarded. I never stated that I think guns should be outlawed, that idea is foolish. I believe in the validity of the second amendment as much as any other amendment, but my reasons for thinking firearms should be legal tend to differ from the popular notion that guns are for personal protection. While they ARE for personal protection, the framers primarily made guns

[LightofJah81]

@ornerykitty in order to allow for an armed population that could, subsequent to owning firearms, remove any totalitarian government that might arise should they deem it necessary. The legality of firearms is essential to preventing an authoritarian state from subjugating a defenseless people, and is also essential for individuals to protect themselves. I empathize with you and I hope that person stops bothering you, but I personally don't believe he should be "gunned down".

[Anekantavad]

What is the individual's obligations under the second amendment, and how are these obligations to be translated into the relevant concrete action?

A right without a corresponding obligation or duty is nothing more than an entitlememt, after all.

[HeadTater]

The "defense of a free state" phrase is something I have never really though of until just now. A lot of people say that we have a military so we don't need that militia to defend us. That is not true. The 2nd Amendment never specified what the militia would be defending against. Yes, foreign threats are one thing. What about domestic threats? Will the military fight against a corrupt government? Will a platoon of Marines protect you from muggers? No, but the armed people will.

[esgatch]

I doubt the fedgov is interested in the original context of the bill of rights as it applies today, regardless of any specifc right. If the US Supreme Court doesn't have the wisdom to define true life in the womb, then they can't be trusted with anything else. What's more important than innocent life?

[jebustheone]

Great point.

Another point to mention, apart from state condoned abortions, but state (taxpayer) funded abortion.

Life, Liberty and Happiness, does that really extend to the government stealing my earnings to pay for the murder of innocent life?

[esgatch]

On January 22, 1973 the U.S. Supreme Court:

1) Abrogated the 14th Amendment.

2) Usurped the Court's limited authority.

3) Presumed to define human life.

4) Assumed legal jurisdiction over the womb of all pregnant women residing in the United States.

"We, the people" failed to rebuke the court, and thirty-six years later there have been over 50 MILLION BABIES murdered in America.

The love of money is evil, and God will not bless a wicked nation.

Wake up and repent, America!

[esgatch]

Life, liberty and property have always been defined by 'we, the people' as given to us by God, whom the founders referred to as the Creator.

Secular government never defines, or provides us with life, liberty or property.

The federal reserve act was patently unconstitutional. Yet, because we have no choice but to use the federal reserve note, the fedgov assumes authority and jurisdiction it never had.

All branches of the fedgov are a despot in their current forms.

Wake up, America!

[egodeosum]

I consider myself a libertarian but I'm not an American nor do I live there . my definition of libertarianism is : wanting the most personnel and economical freedom for everyone as long as that doesn't infringe on those of others ( your right to swing your fists ends at my nose , unless I consent) with governments only job is to defend those rights., but when I see American libertarian argumentation I feel that constitution fundamentalists is a more appropriate name.

[PhatBrady1017]

This is true, especially of America's most famous libertarian, Ron Paul. A great deal of them see the Constitution as an essentially libertarian document and that following it to the letter will lead to a libertarian system.

[jebustheone]

The US constitution is based upon libertarian principles.

[GoLuckyOops]

If there are gun laws preventing gun ownership, this only prevents law abiding citizens from being able to obtain them.

Criminals obtain guns illegally so they cannot be traced back to them. It has been shown statistically that there is not a correlative relationship between gun legality and gun related deaths. A criminal is less likely to rob a house if he knows law abiding citizens will likely be able to defend themselves.

[HeadTater]

That is a very simple and often cited concept. However, for whatever reason, anti-gunners never seem to get it through their heads. Criminals don't follow the law. I don't know how much more simple it could be.

"More Guns; Less Crime" and "The Cultural Bias Against Guns" both by John Lott. Read them if you haven't already. Very informative. They are the most comprehensive study on the subject.

[mcrcomics]

All I got to say is I've got'em come, and try to take them from me. I think the govrnment is getting out of hand in what they stick their noise in. Guns dont infringe on peoples rights anymore then a drunck driver. Are they going to band Cars next just becouse some dumb ass killed someone while they were driving a car. This shit is such a copout. It makes me sick. I love america, and I love being free but just how free are we? Somethimes it make me sick to call myself an American. It's just sad

[hayesism]

Man Boaz is a legend.

I, like Levy, don't own a gun nor have I ever fired a gun. I actually hate guns, for the reason that they have the potential to infringe on the rights of another human. But any law banning them would infringe on people's freedoms just the same. It's just plain wrong to impose your will on another person.

[Aristotle100]

Well said hayesism! I couldn't agree more. I compare it to the smoking ban. I do not smoke, I hate the smell of it, I think its disgusting and I hate walking out of a bar smelling like it. However I am against passing a law against a private bar or restaurant owner telling them what I think they should do. It is their property and they have the right to do as they please.

[xxashyy]

And whats funny about this whole phony debate about the 2nd Amendment is that these so called gun control laws dont really work. Most gun control cities have the worst crime imaginable, and the crime rates hardly decrease because of these laws. Gun control laws are simply things to cover the asses of politicians and to fool the people in pretending like they're solving the real problems of violent crime.

[discojoe3]

Perfectly said.

[Aristotle100]

I agree

[Rahab111222]

The people ARE the militia, get that through your heads, people.

[abassler]

Hopefully Bob Levy will stand up against the supreme court on some 1st amendment issues as well.

[cozmikzen]

unless the citizens have the right to use arms against the government, the 2nd amendment is total bullshit.