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The founding father's intent of the first amendment was for the journalists and the people to be able to investigate and criticize the government. It is in place so that the people are able to inform the nation of the misdoings of the government. Without being informed of what the government or a member of the government is doing, the right to vote is meaningless. Criticism and investigation is a crucial part of the democratic process. It used to be that congress (the representatives of the people) could question government activities against the people. It used to be that journalists were able to find corruption. It used to be that congressmen could find corruption.
No more, instead somebody has bought off the journalists for their political purposes, and bought off the congressman so that being a congressman means using your position for favors to keep being able to fund your political campaign and schemes and getting a job after leaving office.
On a day to day basis being apathetic to the government doesn't really change your life. In fact not involving yourself with politics saves you time and potential headache. Usually the worst that happens involves things like taxes and unpleasant policies, but even those things are things that many people will just put up with. However, when **** hits the fan, not exercising first amendment rights will place a dictator like Hitler or Stalin. If that doesn't get you off your ass, Hitler and Stalin will force you, but by then it will be too late.
Then there is the second amendment of the US constitution. At the time of the revolutionary war it was important for the people to be armed against the British tyrants. When the war was over and the constitution was written, some of the founding fathers thought that these guns could be useful again, in case another tyrant showed up. In the mean time, the second amendment rights were used for hunting for food and defending property.
One interesting thing to consider is the evenness of the arms race between the British and Americans at the time. The average farmer was out gunned against an army just like today, but the difference between the cannon and guns were such that it was still doable for us to win the revolutionary war. You could say the same thing applies today, since guerrilla warfare can prolong a war for a long time.
Things are still different today though. For one thing, the United States military has replaced the militia, and the firepower of the strongest weapons today do not even compare to today's hand guns.
I don't know how bad it could be for people if a tyrant started attacking Americans on our soil. But as it stands, the common use for the guns involves stopping bad guys or hunting animals or for recreation. In fact, for the irresponsible person, the gun is a bigger threat to their lives right now than the immediate threat of the government...
Without the 2nd, all of the others are meaningless as there would be nothing to prevent this corrupt federal government from removing all other rights.
The 2nd Amendment is a guarantee that all other amendments will remain in place. Firearm ownership should be encouraged, and basic firearm safety should be taught in every high school in the country.
People make the choice every day to exercise their rights. This is a thread about the EXERCISE of rights, not whether or not the rights belong on the constitution.
Without the 2nd, all of the others are meaningless as there would be nothing to prevent this corrupt federal government from removing all other rights.
The 2nd Amendment is a guarantee that all other amendments will remain in place. Firearm ownership should be encouraged, and basic firearm safety should be taught in every high school in the country.
This could be a separate thread, but my question is, are the 2nd amendment rights ENOUGH (with all it's current restrictions) to prevent tyranny?
People make the choice every day to exercise their rights. This is a thread about the EXERCISE of rights, not whether or not the rights belong on the constitution.
It's funny how snippy people get when they ask a question and then don't like the response.
No. Any and all gun control laws are by definition an infringement, and therefore unconstitutional and need to be abolished.
That however supports the argument that it's more dangerous to not exercise the first amendment. If the firearm laws are infringed then that's a sign that tyranny has taken over already and have found its way to all levels of the government, from law enforcement to the supreme court. If people exercised the first amendment then they could still have a chance to fully exercise the second.
It's funny how snippy people get when they ask a question and then don't like the response.
Why do we have to choose?
We don't.
I just wanted to have a discussion on what the effects of apathy on these two issues are. A lot of Americans choose to ignore or even fight against both issues.
No. Any and all gun control laws are by definition an infringement, and therefore unconstitutional and need to be abolished.
How can controls on firearms be unconstitutional if they are in fact now part of the constitution and federal law?
In order to be deemed unconstitutional, either you need a amendment stating as much added to the constitution or a ruling by the court on each specific control you believe to be unconstitutional.
Good luck in your endeavor.
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