In this week's series on guns and race, we've explored overt hostility among some "black voices" to gun ownership. We also saw how countering such arguments can bring us perilously close to the "third rail" of self-censorship when race factors into the equation.
I'd indicated I wrote an article some years back that endorsed "a defense of armed Black Panthers." Of that I said:
There's a context within defined criteria of conduct, and most importantly, the fundamental principles apply to all citizens regardless of their race or politics.
Here's my old column:
What the Panther Taught the Eagle - A Modern Folk Tale
"These men are here to freely exercise their divine and, yes, constitutional rights...to defend ourselves and carry armed and loaded weapons..."
No, the speaker is not Charlton Heston, or anyone else associated with the NRA or other "gun rights" groups. These words were spoken by Malik Z. Shabazz, an attorney for the New Black Panther Party, commenting on about 50 armed black activists counterdemonstrating against the Ku Klux Klan in Jasper, Texas.
The Panther's affinity for Marxist dogma notwithstanding, their stand demonstrates the true meaning and power behind the Second Amendment's guarantee that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. But the incident also speaks loudly for how rights are selectively recognized by the authorities.
Imagine the reaction had the police moved in and attempted to disarm the demonstrators. The reality is, they dared not. For had they met with resistance, they would have been forced to call in overwhelming power, which would surely have resulted in Panther deaths. Ever opportunistic politicians and a feeding-frenzied media would then do their utmost to inflame the situation to their best advantage. Can anyone doubt that this would further result in nationwide riots and the very real possibility of urban warfare?
Fifty men with guns exercised their rights, and the state was afraid to do anything about it.
Now imagine the reaction had the Klan marched armed. Public sympathies would have demanded their arrest. Had a bloodbath resulted, the political, media and popular sentiment would be "serves 'em right." The resulting public reaction would be celebratory.
The truth is, the Panthers applied the right to bear arms in exactly the way it was intended to be-- in defense of their lives and their rights. Their presence deterred violence against them. They did not engage in unwarranted violence. Their stand should be applauded as an example by all who believe this is a right of free people.
But until the authorities extend the same reaction to all of us, regardless of race, political affiliation or popularity, Constitutional freedoms will not be restored. As the Panthers have demonstrated, the only way for this to happen is for the authorities to fear the consequences, not from random groups of "gun nuts" and "extremists," but from our neighbors and countrymen.
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Bottom line: We all must all be able to keep and bear arms, regardless of race, color, creed, affiliations...the sole criteria is that we conduct ourselves peaceably, non-aggressively, and do not initiate force and victimize others.
Hate what the Panthers stand for? Hate what the Klan stands for?
That doesn't matter. It's like free speech. You have a right to advocate communism, atheism, racism, just as much as I have a right to endorse their polar opposites. It's the old line "I may not agree with what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."
Do you really want to try that without the means of defense?
What neither of us have a right to do is force our beliefs and will on others, that is, to enslave them. Guns in peaceable but resolute hands provide a last resort individual check against that should the communal social balances fail.
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Making a federal case out of it
Our friends at GeorgiaCarry.org have filed a complaint in federal court against MARTA for detaining gun carriers. Click here for details and to access the complaint.
I'm also told there's a new bill, LC 284706, that will "exempt ammunition and ammunition components from sales and use taxes for 2010 through 2012," and they're asking Georgians to contact their legislators to support it.
We're also warned against HB 545 , which "would disarm people serving civil papers. Well, not everybody who serves civil papers. HB 545 disarms only those holding a Georgia Firearms License."
And finally, Georgia gun owners are asked to sign the petition for HB 615.
If you're a Georgian, you need to hook up with these folks.
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GONV needs your help...
...to fight disarmament efforts in Nevada.
There is one tactic that does work when it comes to protecting and advancing our rights: Mobilization. And by that, I mean increasing membership in a group like Gun Owners of Nevada. So, when we ask our members to contact their legislators, there is a roar heard in Carson City from every corner of Nevada... Ask other lovers of freedom to subscribe to our low-volume, spam-free email alerts at http://lists.gonv.org/. Encourage them to join GONV at http://www.gonv.org/join.htm.
Check out the latest from other Gun Rights Examiners:
Austin Gun Rights Examiner: Mexico’s gun laws responsible for violent holocaust?
Charlotte Gun Rights Examiner: What is your state's Freedom Index?
Cleveland Gun Rights Examiner: "Shoot first" legislation and the concept of fair play
DC Gun Rights Examiner: Georgia legislator introduces bill to repeal permit requirement to open carry handguns!
Denver Gun Rights Examiner: Keep them guessing
LA Gun Rights Examiner: Take Heart, Part IV: Explaining it to the Republicans.
Minneapolis Gun Rights Examiner: An open letter to Senator Jim Webb and pro-gun democrats
Seattle Gun Rights Examiner: At it again: Anti-gunners trying to demonize yet another class of firearms
St. Louis Gun Rights Examiner: Decorated Marine, disarmed by law
Comments
Doesn't that title kinda imply that the model in Oleg's stock photo is a black panther member? Or is it just me wearing my parade raining goggles?
Excellent article!
I see how that inference could be made if you simply go by the title. Because of that, now that you point it out, I will take that photo down.
If you take into account what the column actually says, you should ask yourself what the likelihood is that the model in the photo would join with others, including NBPs if black people were being chained and dragged to their deaths. In this instance, I'd be inclined to ask the Panthers if they'd let me stand with them, even though I'm the political polar opposite of just about everything else they advocate.
Also understand the NBPs are not the same as the BPs--there is a schism between the two, and the originals consider the new guys usurpers who have strayed from original principles. This isn't the place to get into that, and I'm not endorsing either group's politics--merely pointing out that in this case, they accomplished a purpose as armed citizens and behaved in a manner that was peaceable yet protective.
The BP started out with the intend to get the folks in the black hoods to buy/spend their money with black businesses to bring wealth into the black population. This started to work and many different new programs popped up by government that kind of stalled this agenda.
The one thing that is very dangerous to liberals is to have the blacks leave the plantation. This is a topic that would be huge in an open and honest debate. Which will never happen in our lifetimes.
Good reading, David! While we may fault the BP on their politics, we can't fault them on their understanding of the 2A.
Anthony G Martin--Ditto.
Okay, I agree, its "very american" to make
a statement with arms in defense of life
and liberty. As a "black man," or
African-American (whatever you prefer),
there is a degree of racial parity in
such statement. The question I propose is
this: ?What are the present results from
this so-called equality? Has it brought
true equatability? No, and it never will.
Why? Because violence only begets violence.
Remember the vision of democracy includes
the "right to bear and use arms."
What fruit does democracy yield? Just
look at the condition of the countries
that are struggling to put this "novus
ordo seclorum" into play. Solution:
Put into practice on an individual and
family level, theocracy! This the only
lasting solution for all races, nations
and countries. BTW very controversal
articles :-}
a "THEOCRACY"?!! ...a "THEOCRACY"?!!!!!! So this Quack's comment -from L.A.- thinks we all should submit to a THEOCRACY?!!
...a "RELIGIOUS DICTATOR" in other words, right Quack?!! Hey, I know: Lets try the workable social gov't/religion of ISLAM! YEAH - thats a peaceful alternative to the 2nd Amendment! No one carries GUNS THERE, do THEY?! HAHHHH!! This guy needs to be put away. He's so outta touch he's <em>already</em> weaving baskets with a smile.
many "underpriviledged" democrats fall for the bait of liberal leaders helping them get ahead and prosperous.
Actually, the clever ones know they need the poor and disenchanted masses to stay in business and have a platform to justify their position.
if they actually succeeded in propelling people into middle class or above, the now-affluent citizen would soon be voting for lower taxes (republican) and the Liberal leaders just lost a potential life long loyal voter.
They are in the business to keep their constituents ultimately underpriviledged and voting democrat
I just believe in Equality. White Iraqi Vets are now being accused of being Supremists. Want better jobs? Make damn sure your kids go to school AND behave. They'll graduate and get a free ride through college. More than my milky white kid. Bring the troops home and patrol our streets. Shoot anyone that doesn.t halt when told. Arrest all gang members. Give America back to the people of America.....Americans. Not Irish Amer, Afro Amer, Chino Amer, Arab Amer, Get the idea?
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