Nation of Cowards

Oly · 01-28-2009, 07:46 PM

The title is not mine but from a paper written by Jeffrey R. Snyder in '93

Here's the link if you wish to read the whole thing. A Nation of Cowards

I have skimmed it and like what I saw. The last bit of the paper is what sticks with me regaurding the 2nd.

What we certainly do not need is more gun control. Those who call
for the repeal of the Second Amendment so that we can really begin
controlling firearms betray a serious misunderstanding of the Bill of
Rights. The Bill of Rights does not grant rights to the people, such
that its repeal would legitimately confer upon government the powers
otherwise proscribed. The Bill of Rights is the list of the fundamen-
tal, inalienable rights, endowed in man by his Creator, that define
what it means to be a free and independent people, the rights which
must exist to ensure that government governs only with the consent of
the people.

At one time this was even understood by the Supreme Court. In United
States v. Cruikshank (1876), the first case in which the Court had an
opportunity to interpret the Second Amendment, it stated that the right
confirmed by the Second Amendment "is not a right granted by the
constitution. Neither is it in any manner dependent upon that ins-
trument for its existence." The repeal of the Second Amendment would
no more render the outlawing of firearms legitimate than the repeal of
the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment would authorize the
government to imprison and kill people at will. A government that
abrogates any of the Bill of Rights, with or without majority approval,
forever acts illegitimately, becomes tyrannical, and loses the moral
right to govern.

This is the uncompromising understanding reflected in the warning
that America's gun owners will not go gently into that good, utopian
night: "You can have my gun when you pry it from my cold, dead hands."
While liberals take this statement as evidence of the retrograde, vio-
lent nature of gun owners, we gun owners hope that liberals hold
equally strong sentiments about their printing presses, word
processors, and television cameras. The Republic depends upon fervent
devotion to all our fundamental rights.

Metonymy · 01-28-2009, 07:47 PM

Good post. :)

CodeBlue · 01-29-2009, 01:10 PM

That's a really old essay. I think I've had a copy of it laying around since I was in junior high.

It's still good though.

Oly · 01-29-2009, 03:57 PM

^^ '93 was a little while ago.

This is the part I dig: " the right
confirmed by the Second Amendment "is not a right granted by the
constitution. Neither is it in any manner dependent upon that ins-
trument for its existence."

Our rights aren't given nor granted. They are ours by just being born.

Fossilman · 03-21-2011, 10:47 PM

Like it!!!!! Great read.........

sig40shooter · 03-22-2011, 01:05 PM

Im a fan!!!

svarterwyrd · 03-29-2011, 10:18 PM

Love it!

TheRedSkull · 04-10-2011, 12:23 PM

old but still valid. bravo.

Davidpe · 04-10-2011, 03:06 PM

Very interesting post.

I believe in upholding the constitution and the Bill of Rights!

biker90 · 04-10-2011, 07:20 PM

We need to be vigilant and not let the leftists peck away at our rights a little at a time. Essays like this one are inspirational and remind us to stay alert.

GixxerPete · 04-11-2011, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biker90

We need to be vigilant and not let the leftists peck away at our rights a little at a time. Essays like this one are inspirational and remind us to stay alert.

News flash: it ain't just the "leftists" pecking away at our rights, it's our whole government in general doing it. We lost more rights and freedoms under the last Republican administration than any other in history, so don't go thinking it's just "leftists" just cuz they're generally for gun control. We have lots of other rights, or used to. The lefties and righties just draw straws to see which rights each will try to take away from us given the opportunity.

MindPilot · 04-16-2011, 06:41 PM

What one wants simpllified is that : I do not wanr myself or any other I have conference with, to be controlled by any other than ourselves. Simply put, Stop screwing with Me and my Own. Make your peace. Go ^%&*%& yourselves. I don't mind. ;)

deloscielos · 07-24-2011, 09:37 AM

A few months late to the thread, I see - But thought it worth mentioning.

This essay literally, and completely changed my views on gun control and gun owners, etc. I appreciated it so much, that I made it into an ePub (for e-readers, tablets, etc) for portable sharing on your e-reading devices. (Nook, Kindle, etc)

If you'd like a copy of the epub, contact me and I'll email it to you!

01-28-2009, 07:46 PM	#1
Oly Gunslinger Joined: Jan 2009 From: Thurston County, Washington Posts: 31	Nation of Cowards The title is not mine but from a paper written by Jeffrey R. Snyder in '93 Here's the link if you wish to read the whole thing. A Nation of Cowards I have skimmed it and like what I saw. The last bit of the paper is what sticks with me regaurding the 2nd. What we certainly do not need is more gun control. Those who call for the repeal of the Second Amendment so that we can really begin controlling firearms betray a serious misunderstanding of the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights does not grant rights to the people, such that its repeal would legitimately confer upon government the powers otherwise proscribed. The Bill of Rights is the list of the fundamen- tal, inalienable rights, endowed in man by his Creator, that define what it means to be a free and independent people, the rights which must exist to ensure that government governs only with the consent of the people. At one time this was even understood by the Supreme Court. In United States v. Cruikshank (1876), the first case in which the Court had an opportunity to interpret the Second Amendment, it stated that the right confirmed by the Second Amendment "is not a right granted by the constitution. Neither is it in any manner dependent upon that ins- trument for its existence." The repeal of the Second Amendment would no more render the outlawing of firearms legitimate than the repeal of the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment would authorize the government to imprison and kill people at will. A government that abrogates any of the Bill of Rights, with or without majority approval, forever acts illegitimately, becomes tyrannical, and loses the moral right to govern. This is the uncompromising understanding reflected in the warning that America's gun owners will not go gently into that good, utopian night: "You can have my gun when you pry it from my cold, dead hands." While liberals take this statement as evidence of the retrograde, vio- lent nature of gun owners, we gun owners hope that liberals hold equally strong sentiments about their printing presses, word processors, and television cameras. The Republic depends upon fervent devotion to all our fundamental rights.

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01-28-2009, 07:47 PM	#2
Metonymy Marksman Joined: Jan 2009 From: Washington Posts: 370	Good post. :)

01-29-2009, 01:10 PM	#3
CodeBlue Gunslinger Joined: Jan 2009 From: Seattle, WA Posts: 11	That's a really old essay. I think I've had a copy of it laying around since I was in junior high. It's still good though.

01-29-2009, 03:57 PM	#4
Oly Gunslinger Joined: Jan 2009 From: Thurston County, Washington Posts: 31	^^ '93 was a little while ago. This is the part I dig: " the right confirmed by the Second Amendment "is not a right granted by the constitution. Neither is it in any manner dependent upon that ins- trument for its existence." Our rights aren't given nor granted. They are ours by just being born.

03-21-2011, 10:47 PM	#5
Fossilman Gunslinger Joined: Mar 2011 From: Dallas,OR Posts: 25	Like it!!!!! Great read.........

03-22-2011, 01:05 PM	#6
sig40shooter Gunslinger Joined: Mar 2011 From: Tahuya, WA Posts: 19	Im a fan!!!

03-29-2011, 10:18 PM	#7
svarterwyrd Peashooter Joined: Mar 2011 From: Ellensburg, Wa Posts: 9	Love it!

04-10-2011, 12:23 PM	#8
TheRedSkull Rifleman Joined: Apr 2011 From: Corvallis, OR Posts: 204	old but still valid. bravo.

04-10-2011, 03:06 PM	#9
Davidpe Gunslinger Joined: Apr 2011 From: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 16	Very interesting post. I believe in upholding the constitution and the Bill of Rights!

04-10-2011, 07:20 PM	#10
biker90 Newbie Joined: Apr 2011 From: Spokane, WA Posts: 2	We need to be vigilant and not let the leftists peck away at our rights a little at a time. Essays like this one are inspirational and remind us to stay alert.

04-16-2011, 06:41 PM	#12
MindPilot Gunslinger Joined: Apr 2011 From: Tacoma, WA Posts: 56	What one wants simpllified is that : I do not wanr myself or any other I have conference with, to be controlled by any other than ourselves. Simply put, Stop screwing with Me and my Own. Make your peace. Go ^%&*%& yourselves. I don't mind. ;)

07-24-2011, 09:37 AM	#13
deloscielos Gunslinger Joined: Jul 2011 From: La Center, WA Posts: 40	A few months late to the thread, I see - But thought it worth mentioning. This essay literally, and completely changed my views on gun control and gun owners, etc. I appreciated it so much, that I made it into an ePub (for e-readers, tablets, etc) for portable sharing on your e-reading devices. (Nook, Kindle, etc) If you'd like a copy of the epub, contact me and I'll email it to you!