RKBA Responsibilities

Submitted by Bill St. Clair on Thu, 2002-03-14 10:16.
by Bill St. Clair

The Albany Times Union printed a letter I wrote about the right to keep and bear arms:

Constitution enshrines right to carry weapon

First published: Thursday, March 7, 2002

I agree with Rich Del Favero's Feb. 28 letter that, like a driver's license, a handgun permit from one state should be valid in all 50 states. I disagree with him on one important point.

We already have a concealed carry permit that is valid in all 50 states. It requires no background check, no fingerprints, no safety training, no fee and no wait. It's called the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution: "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."

This means, in the words of L. Neil Smith, that "Every man, woman and responsible child has an unalienable individual, civil, Constitutional and human right to obtain, own, and carry, openly or concealed, any weapon -- rifle, shotgun, handgun, machine gun, anything -- any time, any place, without asking anyone's permission." Any law to the contrary is unconstitutional, hence null and void.

That's a nice concise description of your rights, but it doesn't describe the other side of the coin. With rights come responsibilities. This article touches on some of them.

Though government may not mandate safety training, if you don't know why every gun is always loaded, no matter how many times you've checked that it isn't, you need to learn how to handle your firearm safely. Contact the NRA, your local gun club, or almost any responsible gun owner. Safety is rule number one of firearm ownership. I learned it as a pup at my father's knee. At the very least, read and learn by heart Jeff Cooper's Rules of Gun Safety. Summary:

Rule I: All guns are always loaded
Rule II: Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy
Rule III: Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target
Rule IV: Be sure of your target

If you intend to carry, it's a really good idea to get professional training in when and how to use your firearm for self defense. Some of the big names in this business are Massad Ayoob's Lethal Force Institute in New Hampshire, Jeff Cooper's Gunsite in Arizona, Ignatius Piazza's Front Sight in Nevada, and Clint Smith's Thunder Ranch in Texas, but there are hundreds of others. Books and videos can help, but there is no substitute for hands-on training.

If you're not willing and able to use your self-defense weapon responsibly, don't carry it.

Though government has no business restricting your right to obtain, own, and carry firearms, when you take your gun out of your pocket or holster in public, it becomes their business. Except in defense of person or property, pointing a gun at someone is assault with a deadly weapon. Pulling the trigger is attempted murder. Serious felonies. No matter which fancy uniform or funny hat you're wearing or how many people voted for you.

Guns and alcohol don't mix. Ever.

Government has no business restricting your rights, but surprise, they already have. Though most of the thousands of existing weapons laws are blatantly unconstitutional, there are plenty of cops eager to enforce them. If you decide that your rights to life, liberty, and property are incompatible with the local laws, I recommend thinking hard about how you will deal with it. Move, disobey, or lick the jack boots. The choices are not pleasant. Whatever you do, make plenty of noise about your need to do this thinking. You shouldn't have to. None of us should.

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