Should We Be Optimistic or Pessimistic about
the Future of the Second Amendment?
By Daniel Mitchell. July 19th, 2013.
Article Source
Fifty years from now (assuming we haven't suffered a Greek-style fiscal collapse), will we still enjoy our constitutional freedom of private gun ownership?
Sometimes I'm pessimistic about what will happen because politically correct educators are brainwashing our kids. We've even gotten to the point where a deaf kid can't use sign language if his fingers somehow resemble a gun! And if you think that's bizarre, check out these other horror stories of anti-gun hysteria in government schools.
And even though there's currently a majority on the Supreme Court in favor of the Second Amendment, it's only a one-vote margin. That doesn't give me much comfort, particularly since we've seen examples of Justices ignoring their oath when subjected to political pressure.
Moreover, it's difficult to be optimistic when a local government imposes a $1,000 fine on a man who uses an unregistered gun (gasp!) to save a child's life.
On the other hand, I'm somewhat optimistic because gun owners and defenders of the Constitution have done a remarkable job in expanding and extending our Second Amendment rights at the state level.
For instance, check out this map of concealed-carry laws in the United States. The first thing to notice is that every single state allows citizens to carry, with the only real difference being whether the law is "shall issue" or "may issue."
I'm a bit mystified, for what it's worth, that Alabama has a relatively weak "may issue" law. Do they really want to be in the same anemic category as California?!?
Now let's look at this map of stand-your-ground laws. The right of self-defense is not as ubiquitous as the right of concealed-carry, but the trend is very positive with more states moving from blue to red over time.
I'm puzzled why Nebraska and Missouri have weak New York-style laws, but I imagine those colors will change in a couple of years.
By the way, state legislatures are not the only place where we're making progress. Thanks to scholars such as John Lott, it's increasingly clear that social science research leans in favor of private gun ownership.
And I challenge anyone to defend gun control after reading this Larry Correia article.
But the biggest sign of progress may be that honest leftists are beginning to acknowledge the benefits of the Second Amendment. If you have squeamish friends and colleagues who favor gun control, show them this article from The Atlantic and this column from the New York Times.
I'm also encouraged by polling data that shows cops overwhelmingly reject the gun control agenda.
So what does all this mean? To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure. It does appear, however, that the political elite is moving in the wrong direction on the Second Amendment and the American people are moving in the right direction.
I don't know what side will win, but it's a safe bet that we'll have some major political battles in the future.
P.S. If you enjoy anti-gun control humor, here are some amusing videos.
- A revealing look at how leftists think about gun control.
- A heartwarming adoption story.
- An amusing cartoon conversation between an anti-gun ideologue and a supporter of the Constitution.
- This Christmas greeting from the Second Amendment.
- Joe Biden's self-defense advice.
And you can find lots of additional anti-gun control humor at this link.
P.P.S. If you outlaw tanks, only outlaws will have tanks.
P.P.P.S. Feel free to add your vote to my poll on the most important reason to defend the Second Amendment.
P.P.P.P.S. Last but not least, here are some serious videos on the folly of gun control
- Ted Nugent talking about gun ownership and the right of self defense.
- A look at the Switzerland's strong gun culture and the importance of self defense as a protection against oppression.
- And some very powerful testimony to some weasels on Capitol Hill (make sure to pay attention around the 5:00 mark).
- Ice-T talking about the real reason to defend and support the 2nd Amendment.
- A Reason TV video with five facts for Vice President Biden's task force.
- A look at how a young woman can defend herself.
- A 15-year old speaks truth to power.
