The concept of the militia was the citizen-soldier, that every able bodied man was potentially a part of the army, potentially someone who would play a role in our national defense.
Freedom is about self organizing systems, about people getting together to solve problems spontaneously, organically, locally. Guns are an inextricable part of this.
No guns, no freedom. It really is that simple.
We will not stop future Newtowns by passing draconian regulations. We might in fact make them more likely. In my view, the only moral, sane, responsible response is to question why IN HELL we continue to pretend that suicidal mad-men will check their guns at ANY door. We consistently disarm prospective citizen soldiers, and prevent them from doing their own police work.
The record is clear: 14 killed on average when the “professionals” do the shooting, and 2.5 when civilians do. One number is larger than the other, and not likely to change. There were 26 dead in Newtown. 5 revolvers with 6 rounds would have done that.
We need to focus on common sense, CONSTITUTIONAL solutions.
2 replies on “The Symbolism of guns”
The author wrote: "I can't see how anyone unable to live happily in this life has in any way warranted heaven." That does seem to be a mystery. But there will be an answer.
I get carried away rhetorically sometimes, and find myself standing next to myself wondering what the hell I was thinking.
Here, you have caught me in a patent idiocy. Many people lead lonely, hard lives, but do not give in to self pity, do not take it out on others, and generally do the best they can.
In my view, of course those people go to heaven. We won't know much until we die, but the best evidence is that the universe is at its root far more generous than many of us deserve, particularly cranky old men like me who are not yet old.
I may well have been lecturing myself, now that I think about it.
In any event, I thank you for mirroring that back to me. I'm glad you did.