For too many people, the Memorial Day weekend just means a big sale down at the Bellevue, Southcenter or Tacoma malls, a visit to the Folklife Festival in Seattle, or a three-day camping trip to the drier east side of the mountains.
Others, however, take time to reflect and remember a father, uncle, brother or – perhaps most sadly of all – a son or daughter, who will never again be at the 4th of July family picnic, Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas party for “the rest of their lives.”
As I drove to the office this morning past Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Bellevue, the main drive was lined with American flags. They are there for a reason.
This column frequently discusses self-defense and the right to own and use firearms – as we have been the past couple of days relating to shootings in Chicago and the looming Supreme Court ruling in the Second Amendment Foundation’s lawsuit to overturn that city’s handgun ban. Lethal force should never be removed as a self-defense option, and gun owners who daily carry firearms for personal protection, and the protection of their families, invariably consider that a final, reluctantly-exercised right of self-preservation.
It is the same with war. Only a raving lunatic eagerly goes to war, which was once described to me as "organized chaos." Alvin C. York, the WWI Medal of Honor recipient (nobody “wins” one of those, they earn them, all too often posthumously) was reluctant to enter the Army because he “(didn’t) want to fight.” Tough luck for the Germans on Oct. 18, 1918 that York did fight, because he was rather good at it. In short order, he killed by some estimates more than two dozen men, and almost single-handedly captured quite a few more, using a bolt-action rifle and .45-caliber pistol.
Earlier in his life, York had been something of a drunken brawler, but he “got religion” after a friend was killed in one of those brawls, according to biographical accounts. He wanted no more violence. How ironic that he would wind up on a battlefield.
Gun-control advocates, however, argue that the Burr bill would dangerously expand gun ownership rights. In fact, the president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Paul Helmke, recently urged Burr to withdraw the measure ‘particularly in light of the Fort Hood shootings.’—McClatchy-Tribune News Service
Leap ahead 90 years. If York were alive today (he passed peacefully in 1964), he might not be able to own a gun. If his early history of rowdy alcoholism didn’t stop him, his single heroic exploit might. If he was ever haunted by the carnage he saw, and that which he inflicted on the enemy, and sought counseling from the Veterans Administration, this quiet Tennessee hero might have his name added to the disqualified rolls in the National Instant Check System. York might easily find himself in the same mess as tens of thousands of other combat veterans who defended this country and its constitution only to have one of the most important constitutional rights stripped away without any formal adjudication.
Gun prohibitionists – who are always eager to find one more loophole through which they can reach out and grab someone’s firearm civil rights – like it this way. That is why they are now opposing S. 669, the Veterans’ Second Amendment Protection Act, sponsored by Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC). I spoke with Burr recently at a function in North Carolina, and he seems like a stand-up guy who is standing up right now for war veterans who have earned the right – in my humble opinion – to own any damn gun they want, no questions asked. The legislation is supported by the National Rifle Association. (A companion measure in the House is sponsored by Rep. Jerry Moran, R-KS)
Our veterans took an oath to uphold the Constitution, and they deserve to enjoy the rights they fought so hard to protect."—Sen. Richard Burr, R-NC.
There are 18 co-sponsors of Burr’s legislation. Washington’s anti-gun Sen. Patty Murray is not one of them. Indeed, there is but a single Democrat’s name on that list, Jim Webb of Virginia. Why?
Curiously, McClatchy-Tribune News Service reporter Dave Helling used the following sentence to explain the opposition to Burr’s bill: “Gun-control advocates, however, argue that the Burr bill would dangerously expand gun ownership rights.”
I have always supported citizens' Second Amendment rights. The Veterans' Second Amendment Protection Act safeguards our nations' veterans from being stripped of their constitutional right to bear arms without due process."—Sen. Sam Brownback, R-KS
For people like the Brady Campaign’s Paul Helmke, any expansion of gun ownership rights is “dangerous,” which explains why his group argued against the Supreme Court’s 2008 Heller case ruling that defined the Second Amendment as protective of an individual civil right. It is also why they are opposed to the SAF lawsuit against the Chicago handgun ban.
Attorney Eric Puryear explains at length how the Brady Campaign is misrepresenting the Fort Hood terrorist shooting in an attempt to undermine Burr’s legislation. Puryear’s comments are found on his website: LearnAboutGuns.com.
No court has declared these veterans mentally incompetent. They’ve simply designated a family member or other representative to handle their (financial) matters, which is resulting in them being found mentally unfit to possess firearms. That’s wrong and ought to be illegal.”—National Rifle Association
This nation owes more than it can ever pay to military veterans, particularly those who have ever seen shots fired in anger. When you’re eating hot dogs and beans, hamburgers and potato salad, sitting around a campfire or enjoying the Folklife Festival in Seattle this weekend, you might just give that some thought. Cemeteries all over the map are filled with people who made it possible for you to enjoy these things.
Many more of their surviving comrades have been rather shabbily treated by current gun regulations, when we should be thanking them for their service. Burr’s S. 669 may not be the ultimate solution, but it’s a good start. If people get behind this measure it could pass. In the process, someone should ask Murray why she won’t.
For more info: Assault on Weapons: The Campaign to Eliminate Your Guns. Second Amendment Foundation.
PLEASE FORWARD the link to this column and share it with your on-line friends and other gun rights forums.
More from Gun Rights Examiners
Atlanta: Ed Stone | Austin: Howard Nemerov | Boston: Ron Bokleman | Charlotte: Paul Valone | Cheyenne: Anthony Bouchard | Chicago: Don Gwinn | Cleveland: Daniel White | DC: Mike Stollenwerk | Denver: Dan Bidstrup | Detroit: Rob Reed | Fort Smith: Steve D. Jones | Knoxville: Liston Matthews | Los Angeles: John Longenecker | Minneapolis: John Pierce | National: David Codrea | Seattle: Dave Workman | St. Louis: Kurt Hofmann | Tucson: Chris Woodard
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Comments
Well said, Dave. God Bless Our Veterans and Their Families!
Freedom isn't free. Vets have paid the price for our freedom.
On a second note, I have a hard time with this notion of expansion of gun rights. The 2nd is absolute, how can it be expanded? It's that our rights have been improperly constricted and the gun banners consider restoration or exercise of our rights to be expansion. Much like the idea that a 30 round AR magazine is somehow "high capacity" when in fact, it's really standard capacity while 10 rounders are restricted capacity.
Thank you Dave for standing tall for our Veterans and their families.
All gave some, some gave all.
I served forty years ago and would serve again tomorrow if asked to. Not as quickly maybe but I would still be there and like the founding fathers I could even supply my own rifle and some ammo. I fought to give people a voice in government but not to destory what my fellow soldiers died for. The Brady campaign in my personal opinion is as much a traitor's organization as any Islamic terrorist cell. And maybe more so because they subvert the very rights my friends/fellow soldiers died to protect. Islamic terrorists are at least out front about their goals while this Brady campaign hides behind the very rights it seeks to destroy found in the Bill of Rights and the Consitution. They are cowards and as such I have no respect for them or what they stand for. May we always have proud veterans who have no fear to answer the call no matter how old they get.
I am proud to be a veteran of the U.S. Army. I served 45 years ago, and yes, I would serve again if needed. While I never saw combat action, I did serve in a supportive role and feel I made a contribution. I think military service would do a lot of today's youth a lot of good. I learned discipline and how to work as a member of a team, something I think a lot of people could benefit from. I became proud of my country and proud to serve it. I love my country with all my heart. My country is it's people, not the government. I am also grateful to all who served before me and for those serving now. Unfortunately, we now have a president(I refuse to capitalize it for Obama)who does not appreciate or support veterans or those who are serving now. They are serving ALL Americans regardless of political philosophy, religion, color, etc. They risk their lives and then when they get home they can't own a gun?!? They can die for this country, but not protect themselves and their families?!?
Very good article. God Bless every one of our servicemen and women. The good that still exists in America is in large part due to you . And even those of us who haven't served or didn't served in combat know this and appreciate you.
Let's keep a wary eye on Hillary Clinton as she is ready to sign the "UN Small Arms Treaty", which will effectively be a run around our 2nd amendment to make it more difficult to be a gun owner. It's happening RIGHT NOW. Google it, discuss with friends and BE VOCAL. We still need you Guys and Gals to Fight with us again...like some of the posters have said. Only this time it is a war of VOICES heard loudly and Publically.
Course if the Border situation continues as it is, we might need y'all to teach us the Hows and Whats of the kind of Defence y'all are expert at.
God bless you and your families this weekend. Because they have also sacrificed for us too. Be safe and HAVE FUN!
The last time American troops fought to protect AMERICAN freedom, their uniforms were gray and they lost.
Big city Police officers often see far more carnage during their careers than do the average Soldier and are often diagnosed with PDST, have a higher incidence of alcoholism and (in some cases) domestic violence than the general population.. Would the anti-gun crowd be willing to suggest that former Police be barred from owning guns because they might have PTSD? Of course not, and I believe for two reasons: (1) Their plans need an perception of legitimacy by having the Police Organizations support their plans (they do this by exempting current and former Police from each and every proposal they put forth); and (2) They’re, quite often, Hoplophobes (which actually means fear of Soldiers; not fear of guns) who believe Soldiers are heartless machines who foam at the mouth with a desire to kill everything. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard a liberal so something to the effect of “… he joined the army, he wants to fight… “.
The Poem
people.virginia.edu/~mmd5f/holmesfa.htm
I agree protect the Second Amendment rights, and while were at all the others...
And all the others Jessie, taught best by the war shaman's Cochise, and Geronimo.
JW:
I deleted your duplicate posts.
We heard you the first time.
:-)
Thank you Dave. You have a great perspective. As a vet I thank all those who served before and after me.
Well said, Dave; thank you.
My grandfathers served in WW1 under the promises of “the war to end all wars,” and “making the world safe for democracy.” That war gave Germany’s colonies and the Ottoman Empire to the British and French to enslave while giving Germany the bill to pay for the war.
My father, father-in-law, and only uncle served in WW2 when Germany lied and propagandized to steal their previous lands step-by-step under a grand plan to colonize Europe. My father-in-law was a combat medic who was shot on three occasions; the last taking seven Nazi bullets that crippled him.
Today, brave and patriotic US soldiers are serving in expanding wars. The dark facts are that it’s the US that has descended into empire-building cloaked in lies and propaganda of “self-defense.” The civilian “leadership” orchestrating these unlawful wars want unarmed veterans because they understand the facts are becoming clear; “leadership” is afraid and will do anything to keep us unarmed.
Mr. Mallory, that wasen't fighting for freedom, those was traitors.
Special Message, Lincoln to Congres July 4, 1861
That this was their object, the Executive well understood; and having said to them in the inaugural address, "You can have no conflict without being yourselves the aggressors,’’ he took pains, not only to keep this declaration good, but also to keep the case so free from the power of ingenious sophistry, as that the world should not be able to misunderstand it.
A simple check of the Gray Matter, shows the Patriots headed north from Virginia, just like General Washington's March to Philadelphia, after Lexington, and ending in Yorktown.
May 4-8 1942, Carriers USS Lexington and USS Yorktown begin Battle of Coral Sea.
I see we have a USS Abraham Lincoln, parked in Everett?
Isn't that USS Jefferson Davis, parked on the bottom of the Battle of Mobile Bay, by America's First Admiral?
As soldiers most of us never asked for much except a simple thank you and hand shake when we came home for what we were asked to do. If you see an active serviceman or a vet this weekend shake his hand and say you appreciated what he did for this country or that he was standing beside you somewhere at the same time you were in uniform if you are a vet. Boys who think they are men go into the military and the military gives society back the real men when they come home.
Liberty Bell, Both sides fought for what they believed in. I seriously doubt that you have any idea what that war was really fought about other than the media driven slavery issue if you call one side or the other traitors. Loyal Americans fought on both sides of the civil war. Leave your name calling at home. This is one veteran who does not appreciate it and based on your comments elsewhere I am sure you never served this country but would sit in judgement of those that have.
As always, a good article, Dave!
A HUGE Thank you to everyone who has served to protect our freedom. You men and women are true American Heroes! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!
Yes Robert, and I suppose that Sepatmber 11 Letter, didn't happen either, our Traitors have always been confused!
www.rjgeib.com/thoughts/sherman/sherman-to-burn-atlanta.html
Liberty Bell:
I deleted your dual post.
Please try to keep your remarks on topic. And also please keep in mind that members of the Confederate Army did not consider themselves traitors at all. At that time, for many people including Robert E. Lee, one's loyalty was with one's state. Lincoln at one point according to some history, wanted Lee as his general of the armies.
Lee followed Virginia.
I had ancestors on both sides. Best to keep that in perspective.
And Benedict Arnold didn't consider himself a traitor either.
Or was it Johnsons Pardon for Treason, Christmas 1868, that's still being celebrated at Arlington
Dave: Good article as usual.
Regarding Service Member's 2A Rights: I see that Sen Imhof has a bill which would prevent DOD and military commanders from strangling Soldier's rights (I include Sailors, Marines, Airman, etc.) while off-duty and off post.
His legislation is short by about 2/3.
Soldiers must have the right to carry for self-defense on post, while deployed, anywhere, just as civilians do.
Sen. Imhof's bill, if it had been enacted previous to last November, would NOT have mitigated the Fort Hood tragedy, as all Soldiers present would still have been disarmed by local command decree.
Commanders are afraid that Soldiers will not act as adults with respect to guns and knives, and so deny them the ability to protect themselves. (If there is a barracks incident, the commander looks bad - can't allow the children to hurt our careers now, can we?)
BTW: I met you at the 24 March event in Olympia: A GOOD time, wasn't it!
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