Rep. Rush and Visiting Students
Gun owners continue to be anxious about their right to bear arms which they feel was given to them in the Constitution. The leading threat today comes from a bill being sponsored by an Illinois congressman that would apply to handguns and all rifles with a detachable ammunition feeding device.
Rep. Bobby Rush, a Democrat from Illinois, is sponsoring the Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009. It would establish a federal gun license and registry program that would help the government track information on gun ownership and gun sales across the United States. Presently under the U.S. Code, this kind of registry is specifically banned under a provision that was enacted by President Reagan and the 99th Congress.
Under Rush's bill, in order to get a license, a person must submit a photo, thumbprint, their address, a release of their mental health records and other information to the United States Attorney general. Current gun owners would have two years to acquire a license. The alternative would be to forfeit their guns to the government.
As in the past, the bill that is being offered by Rush is not being considered by the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security and no legislative action seems to be planned. Gun owners interested in keeping track of the bill can contact their member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Comments
"which they feel was given to them in the Constitution."
Martha, that is misleading. The Constitution DOES NOT CONFER RIGHTS upon the people. It ONLY guarantees those stated rights which are inalienable rights which cannot be taken away by a group who did not give them to us.
The Constitution is a document that is written by and the responsibility of the people, NOT the government. The PEOPLE wrote the Constitution which ESTABLISHES the Government and its form. Since WE wrote it, we can amend, alter or ABOLISH it as we deem expedient.
WE the PEOPLE form the government we feel will protect the God given rights which WE have enumerated in the Constitution.
No government can deny an inalienable right which that government does not hold.
Also remember, if they can LICENSE the right to keep and bear arms, they can LICENSE the right to assembly, association, speech and the press.
One reason I started doing research and writing about gun issues is in the hope that those who are pro and con can have an intelligent and polite exchange of thoughts about it in my blog. I generally do not take a stand on an issue but am interested in what my readers think. It is most important to me that we learn and have respect for the opinions of others, no matter whether we agree or not. So far, I am very pleased with the comments and look forward to the continued conversations that issue from my articles.
With all due respect, people do NOT feel that the Constitution gives them the right. Anyone who has read the Declaration of Indepence and the Consitution understand that rights come from our Creator. The right to bear arms is simply enumerated in the Second Amendment. The Constitution limits government, not people.
Tyrants always go after their people's arms first. The really crafty tyrants manage to convince their people to give them up willingly (for their own good, of course). Given the history of human government, one would have to be an abject moron to trust government to be the sole steward of force. Never trust any person or institution that wants you to give up your arms while retaining theirs - no matter how benign they seem. Demanding that we register ourselves like criminals for exercising our rights or face being stripped of those rights is only one step removed from using those registration lists to herd us into ghettos and then camps. All I have to say to those who wish to strip us of our rights, however gently and surreptitiously, is "Get bent."
Tyrants always go after their people's arms first. The really crafty tyrants manage to convince their people to give them up willingly (for their own good, of course). Given the history of human government, one would have to be an abject moron to trust government to be the sole steward of force. Never trust any person or institution that wants you to give up your arms while retaining theirs - no matter how benign they seem. Demanding that we register ourselves like criminals for exercising our rights or face being stripped of those rights is only one step removed from using those registration lists to herd us into ghettos and then camps. All I have to say to those who wish to strip us of our rights, however gently and surreptitiously, is "Get bent."
Unfortunately, most Americans are fat dumb and happy, they want their beer and T.V. They voted these politicians in, and are expecting a hand out. The takers have outnumbered the producers. Only a small percentage of us are concerned about our right to protect ourselves. It seems that our present government wants to make criminals our of its citizens. Martha, can you give us any information regarding the "strings" that are attached to stimulus money for the states--particularly pertaining to gun control?
I am still looking for explanations about what is actually in the Stimulus package without any spin attached. It takes 31 hours to read the bill (on purpose?)and it has referrals to other legislative actions that have been enacted into law previously. So far I have not read than even one legislator who voted for or against it ever read what was in it. I have written to my senator (who voted against it) as to what is in it that effects the State in which I reside. Perhaps we should all do that and post the answers to this comment page.
"It seems that our present government wants to make criminals our of its citizens. "
Here is an example from Maryland. Senator Kasemeyer Senate Bill 551.
"(b) A person may not carry or possess a firearm, knife, or deadly weapon of any kind on public school property OR ON THE PROPERTY OF A PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION."
KNIVES? This includes pocket knives "of any kind". Something many of us have carried since childhood. It has been used to pull a nail out of a tire, a splinter out of your thumb, you know what out of your shoes. You may need it to cut a seat belt in an emergency one day. Do you have a LEATHERMAN in your car?
A MULTITOOL of any kind with a blade in it? You will now be a criminal.
AND unable to defend yourself in this state that does not allow you to get a CCW unless you are connected.
I can't believe that people are so blind and we are under what kind of rule .. WE have the right to bare arms and I will not give that up. My son die for his country so I have that right . The government checked my back round and that is all they get I passed I have no other thing I have to do. Just protect my belongings and myself and my family Wake up please
I am an individual residing in the state of Texas and have recently purchased several sxs shotguns, a rifle and pistol on-line. They were sent to a dealer that I know who is a FFL agent. This past Fri. I attempted to pickup these firearms but when I filled out the required background check application it was rejected three (3) times. The FFL agent stated that he requested why and the party on the other end of the telephone suggested that possibly someone was attempting to steal my identity (I have no felony or anytype of court auction against me). I was given a "Voluntary Appeal File" to fill out together with a complete set of my fingerprints (both hands) to be submitted to the FBI. I have nothing to hide but I really don't feel compelled to furnish the FBI my fingerprints to be documented and placed onfile as it feels like an invasion of my privacy (I have done absolutely nothing wrong or illegal). Do you know of any other way to determine why my background check was denied and of a way to resolve this without relinquishing my fingerprints?
Best Regards,
RELee
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!