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Guns and the Second Amendment: Don't Tread on Me

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Jenkins rentals

There is nothing more sobering than attending a rally full of people toting loaded weapons. That's right, there you have it, hundreds of like minded individuals assembled in a national park somewhere in Virginia at a "Restore the Constitution" rally. I wasn't aware that the Constitution of this great nation was repealed, but apparently these people think it was. That's a scary thought considering they are all carrying loaded armaments. One of the speakers at the rally was former Alabama Minuteman leader, Mike Vanderboegh, who called for citizens to throw bricks through the windows of local Democratic party headquarters across the country. I'm all for free speech and everything, but this man's cries were heard and carried out. Now I am told that this Mike Vanderboegh was one of the featured speakers at a rally full of people armed to the teeth. Am I the only one who thinks something is wrong with this picture? Is anybody else worried here ? I certainly am.

Mr. Vanderboegh has declared that "We are done backing up. Not one more inch." Does this sound like the language of a rational man? His second assertion was that armed resistance is justified only "when they send people to our doors and kill us." Who is the "they" he is talking about, the federal government ? I'm not going to accuse this man of snorting cocaine, but they do say drugs can make you paranoid. Mr. Vanderboegh claims that he would only use guns when they were coming to kill him in his home. Somehow, after the brick throwing suggestion, I'm not sure I believe this guy. If I was a betting man, I would bet you "dollars to donuts" this nut can't wait to use his firearm.

Let's look at the facts, shall we? We have an angry unruly crowd open to the suggestions of a man who's not wrapped too tight. They are at a rally on a Monday when most sane people are hard at work trying to hang on to their jobs in a jacked up economy. Too further exacerbate things, the protesters all have loaded lethal weapons. Did I mention that they were angry? Am I the only one in America that sees a troubling pattern here?

I don't own a gun. Part of the reason is that I don't believe I need one for self defense. However, I am beginning to change my mind. It's not the burglars, drug dealers, criminals, cops or other government officials that scare me. Quite frankly it's the guys wearing the camouflage jumpsuits, running around in the woods, who claim the government is coming to get them that scares me. Who the heck are these people ? I don't remember really hearing about these jokers when George Bush was in office. That's not to say I want good ol' Malaprop George back in the Oval Office, because I don't.

I wonder what would happen if I rounded up some of the guys from my neighborhood in DC and we drove out to the same National Park in Virginia with loaded guns protesting the government's imaginary tyranny. I'm sure the same people who attended the "Restore the Constitution" rally would suddenly feel that gun rallies weren't a good idea. Not only that, I'm sure we wouldn't set one foot in that park without the local constabulary descending down upon us.

By the way, I'm not rounding up anybody. Shouting at the top of my lungs with a bunch of angry people isn't my thing. I hate crowds and especially unruly crowds with rifles. It kind of cramps my style.

The bottom line is that a lot of restrictions on guns were made to promote safety. In addition, these laws were enacted in the spirit of common sense. Yes, common sense seems to be a concept the Tea Baggers( Tea Party Movement), Palanites and other right wing factions have lost track of.

First of all, a group pf people assembled together with guns is a public safety concern. People who carry a gun in one hand and then claim they own a gun because the federal government is out of control are mentally challenged. Anybody who thinks they are going to justifiably shoot a police officer or a federal agent is out of their mind. Yes, the Second Amendment allows the citizenry to bear arms. I submit that this Amendment didn't anticipate the foolishness that took place yesterday in that park in Virginia. There is no doubt in my mind that these peoples' justification for carrying guns is misguided and borderline pathological. Whoever is listening, please do not issue any more permits to protesters carrying guns.

Chris Wechner
CW Health Inc - Waterford, MI

I'm embarrassed to say that you have a very good point, Chip.

Without hardly ANY question, there would be a HUGE difference the way many people, including police officers, responded to a group of white men gathering in a park vs. a group of black men.  This is BEFORE you take the guns into consideration.

The real questions are:

  • Why does this reaction happen?
  • What steps can we all take to begin changing this?

 

Apr 20, 2010 11:31 PM
Chip Jenkins
Jenkins rentals - Pentagon, DC

Really Chris it's scary.

Apr 21, 2010 05:02 PM
Robert Machado
HomePointe Property Management, CRMC - Sacramento, CA
CPM MPM - Property Manager and Property Management

I have more fear from a home invasion than an attack from some group in the woods.   I won't say if I have a gun, that is for the home invaders to find out.

Apr 21, 2010 05:30 PM
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services Inc - Gulf Breeze, FL
Buyers Agent 800-309-3414 Pace and Gulf Breeze,Fl.

Where is this at, I have been looking for it on the news feed and googled it but got nothing. I think it is illegal to have guns in any state park. Are you sure this is true.

Apr 22, 2010 03:56 PM