I Interview DEAD People on the 2nd Amendment

Today, with the help of modern computers, I was able to interview a few of our founding fathers on the subject of the Second Amendment. As a special guest, I also invited Abraham Lincoln to participate as well, since he seems to be a hero of gun haters, for some reason. After this reading this interview, hopefully you will have a better understanding that the most influential people this country has ever had the pleasure of knowing are AGAINST attacks on the Second Amendment! Enjoy...

JOSEPH TURNER: There is a debate in modern times as to who the Second Amendment pertains to. I ask you- is the right to bear arms a right of the people, or is it a right meant only for the government?

ROGER SHERMAN: Conceive it to be the privilege of every citizen, and one of his most essential rights, to bear arms, and to resist every attack upon his liberty or property, by whomsoever made. The particular states, like private citizens, have a right to be armed, and to defend, by force of arms, their rights, when invaded.

JOSEPH TURNER: But there are people within our federal government, and even within our society that thinks that personal gun ownership is a danger to everyone.

JOEL BARLOW: The danger (where there is any) from armed citizens, is only to the *government*, not to *society*; and as long as they have nothing to revenge in the government (which they cannot have while it is in their own hands) there are many advantages in their being accustomed to the use of arms, and no possible disadvantage.

JOSEPH TURNER: So, in your opinion, who all should own firearms?

ALEXANDER HAMILTON: The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed.

JOSEPH TURNER: Surely you don't mean everyone, right? I mean, you don't think everyone in my neighborhood should be allowed to own guns, right? Maybe just a select few?

PATRICK HENRY: The great object is, that every man be armed. Every one who is able may have a gun.

JOSEPH TURNER: Some will argue that guns are only good for killing. They will say that there is no other reason to have a gun. What do you think of this?

THOMAS JEFFERSON: As to the species of exercise, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun, therefore, be the constant companion to your walks.

JOSEPH TURNER: Another argument is concealed carry is a good idea or not. Some say that the right to carry a gun is a bad thing- that it promotes evil and lawlessness. What do you think?

GEORGE WASHINGTON: The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good.

JOSEPH TURNER: So are you saying that carrying a gun on our persons would make us safer from evil-doers?

AN UN-NAMED WRITER OF THE DECLARATION OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS: Men trained in arms from their infancy, and animated by the love of liberty, will afford neither a cheap or easy conquest.

JOSEPH TURNER: It seems that other countries are pushing us to get rid of private ownership of firearms. Some folks in our very own government agree with this. Instead of outright banning guns, we are faced with regulation after regulation, weakening the right. What do you think of this?

GEORGE MASON: When the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British Parliament was advised by an artful man, who was governor of Pennsylvania, to disarm the people; that it was the best and most effectual way to enslave them; but that they should not do it openly, but weaken them, and let them sink gradually.

JOSEPH TURNER: As far as firearms, what makes us different from other countries who would like to see us disarmed?

JAMES MADISON: The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation, where the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.

JOSEPH TURNER: Do you think it is possible that the other countries and the anti-gunners in our own country might be right? Should we consider disarming the citizens?

JOSEPH STORY: One of the ordinary modes, by which tyrants accomplish their purposes without resistance, is, by disarming the people, and making it an offense to keep arms.

JOSEPH TURNER: So what should we do when the government tries to take our right to keep and bear arms? Most of them think we don't need guns for protection.

ALEXANDER HAMILTON: No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

JOSEPH TURNER: Are you saying we should stand up to the government? In what way do you mean?

ABRAHAM LINCOLN: This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it or their revolutionary right to dismember it or overthrow it.

JOSEPH TURNER: But it's the government! Don't they know best? Shouldn't we just trust them?

GEORGE WASHINGTON: Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.

JOSEPH TURNER: But the government tells us that their actions are for our own protection- are you saying we should be keeping an eye on them? What if they do try to fiddle with our rights and liberties?

PATRICK HENRY: Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined.

JOSEPH TURNER: Don't you think this might make the government a little uneasy?

THOMAS JEFFERSON: What country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time that his people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms.

JOSEPH TURNER: Are you saying that armed citizens have a way of keeping the government in check? That it is a prevention of sorts to keep government from forcing unjust rule over us?

NOAH WEBSTER:Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed.

JOSEPH TURNER: So, if all else fails, and we cannot convince the government to back off our rights, are you saying- as a last resort- we should literally fight?

THOMAS JEFFERSON: The tree of liberty from time to time must be refreshed with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

JOSEPH TURNER: Well, the people in government constantly try to tell us that the Second Amendment applies to militias, not the people in general. Aren't militias nothing but a collection of the people?

RICHARD HENRY LEE, SENATOR IN 1788: A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves- and include all men capable of bearing arms.

JOSEPH TURNER: There are also those who think the Second Amendment no longer applies. Since we now have armed forces, they argue, we have no need for militias, thus no need for private citizens to own guns. What do you think?

PATRICK HENRY:Are we at last brought to such a humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our own defense? Where is the difference between having our arms in our own possession and under our own direction, and having them under the management of Congress? If our defense be the *real* object of having those arms, in whose hands can they be trusted with more propriety, or equal safety to us, as in our own hands?

JOSEPH TURNER: It seems like the anti-gunners are backing off of the hunters a little bit, but they still don't think we should have the right to armed self defense. Do you think we have the right to use a gun in self defense?

JOHN ADAMS: To suppose arms in the hands of citizens, to be used at individual discretion, except in private self-defense, or by partial orders of towns, countries or districts of a state, is to demolish every constitution, and lay the laws prostrate, so that liberty can be enjoyed by no man; it is a dissolution of the government.

JOSEPH TURNER: So what do you think about all the federal anti-gun legislation? Is Congress actually allowed to make these laws? Are they allowed to regulate guns?

SAMUEL ADAMS: That the said Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press or the rights of conscience; or to prevent the people of the United states who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.

JOSEPH TURNER: Some lawmakers, and our current President, think it is a good idea to limit the number of guns you should buy. In fact, if you have too many guns, there is a good chance that you will be raided and labeled a terrorist or something. How many guns do you think we should have?

GEORGE WASHINGTON: A free people ought to have the right and advantage of being armed and disciplined but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which includes their own government.

JOSEPH TURNER: But if I own too many guns, or buy too much ammunition, should I be worried that the government might get involved?

THOMAS JEFFERSON: When the government fears the people there is liberty. When people fear the government there is tyranny.

JOSEPH TURNER: Now that I understand how important you feel about gun ownership without federal restrictions, what should we be telling the government when they twist the wording of the Constitution just to infringe on our rights?

ABRAHAM LINCOLN: The people of the United States are the rightful masters of both Congress and the Courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.

JOSEPH TURNER: Just exactly how important is the right to keep and bear arms anyway?

GEORGE WASHINGTON: Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself.

JOSEPH TURNER: Really? Why is that?

PATRICK HENRY: The Second Amendment protects all others.

JOSEPH TURNER: If you could ask everyone to remember one thing, what would it be?

PATRICK HENRY: We should not forget the spark which ignited the American revolution was caused by the British attempt to confiscate the firearms of the colonist.

There you have it folks- the true intent of the people who fought for, built and shaped this country! Make no mistake about it- those who aim to take, restrict, regulate or otherwise infringe on this right are WRONG.

And to quote a person who is still alive- a person who actually owns MACHINE GUNS- Ted Nugent: "If guns cause crime, all of mine are defective."