So you think you know the 2nd Amendment

[bae]

I agree with Alan regarding the practicality of citizens standing up against the government (think about it),

While I agree with you that small groups of citizens foolish enough to engage US government forces in set-piece battles would be wiped out in short order (and good riddance to them...), think about this:

Afghanistan is about the size of Texas, and it has taken much of the might of our nation to just barely keep the lid on over there.

If large numbers of the citizens of the United States decided violent resistance was called for, there are not enough police and military in this county to keep things under control. Those rebels would be living among us, with easy access to the family members and friends of government, police, and military forces - they wouldn't be safely overseas. You couldn't bomb their cities. They probably wouldn't be so nice as to secede as a group of states, and invite Civil War 2.0.

Look at the trouble a single lame sniper team did to the DC area a few years back:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beltway_sniper_attacks

Multiply that by...a lot.

Then consider that some of the rebels probably would be clever enough not to use guns...


It would be horrid, who wants that? Why even go there?

[bunnys]

Bae: I don't know where you're getting your numbers from but let's go with your 99%+ of polite, law-abiding types. Why do you think they all (or even most) would consider limiting gun access a punishment? I consider it a privilege to live in a country where I don't have to carry an assault weapon to protect myself. I do consider it a privilege to live in a country where I can count on my government to protect me from unrest. I'm grateful I live where I know I can trust my government and based on it's long history of pretty good, trustworthy actions [not flawless, but good] I believe my trust has been earned.

[ApatheticNoMore]

Oh I think the government would fight a heck of a lot harder here than they ever did in Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.. See I don't think entirely subduing rebellion is crucial to the goals of those wars, I think they may be quite happy to subdue them enough so they can be manageable and not interfere with whatever the real objective is (I dont' even know anymore, Al Queda, oil, putting in U.S. friendly governments, whatever it is today, but I really don't think it's to make those regions peaceful, sorry). A citizenry in full on rebellion against the government here would face a government and all the interest that government serves (that's a lot of big money there!) fighting for it's survival, no, it would be much worse.

[creaker]

Is it reasonable to develop public policy that restricts and punishes the actions of 99.nn% of polite, law-abiding, contributing citizens in order to attempt to influence the actions of a miniscule minority?

That sounds like the TSA.

[bae]

That sounds like the TSA.

Indeed. Security Theater.

[peggy]

I just sent the NRA $20,000 for you, Peggy. I hope it brings you many happy returns.

And I just sent the ATF a donation in your name...or did I just send them your name...

[bae]

And I just sent the ATF a donation in your name...or did I just send them your name...

Given that I have multiple Title II/NFA items registered with the BATF, and a Class III license pending, participate in sanctioned CMP events and own many "assault weapons" purchased directly from the US Government for this purpose, and participate in a winery business, I'm pretty sure they already know where to find me. I talk with them every few weeks. Nice guys really.

I don't smoke or grow tobacco though, maybe you could drop them a dime about that.

But thanks!

[freein05]

Bae: I don't know where you're getting your numbers from but let's go with your 99%+ of polite, law-abiding types. Why do you think they all (or even most) would consider limiting gun access a punishment? I consider it a privilege to live in a country where I don't have to carry an assault weapon to protect myself. I do consider it a privilege to live in a country where I can count on my government to protect me from unrest. I'm grateful I live where I know I can trust my government and based on it's long history of pretty good, trustworthy actions [not flawless, but good] I believe my trust has been earned.

+ 1. Remember the Civil War and that will give you an idea how hard the government will fight to keep the union together.

Edited to add: I am 67 years old and in all that time I have never felt I need for a firearm for protection. I grew up in a not so good part of Los Angeles. If there was a potential bad situation I would get out of it using my brain. If any private citizen thinks they can take on the government good luck.

[Gregg]

While I agree with you that small groups of citizens foolish enough to engage US government forces in set-piece battles would be wiped out in short order (and good riddance to them...), think about this:

Afghanistan is about the size of Texas, and it has taken much of the might of our nation to just barely keep the lid on over there.

If large numbers of the citizens of the United States decided violent resistance was called for, there are not enough police and military in this county to keep things under control. Those rebels would be living among us, with easy access to the family members and friends of government, police, and military forces - they wouldn't be safely overseas. You couldn't bomb their cities. They probably wouldn't be so nice as to secede as a group of states, and invite Civil War 2.0.

Look at the trouble a single lame sniper team did to the DC area a few years back:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beltway_sniper_attacks

Multiply that by...a lot.

Then consider that some of the rebels probably would be clever enough not to use guns...


It would be horrid, who wants that? Why even go there?

Don't get me wrong, I hope we never have the need for violent/armed resistance. I do think the powers that be are kept in check to a certain degree because such resistance is a possibility and because they realize it would be impossible to squelch. To attempt to do so would be akin to scratching poison ivy, the itch would spread AND become more acute. That may just be one of our greatest strengths. God bless the USA.

[freein05]

The Constitution basically says the military is to be under civilian control. This is very important to keep us from becoming a banana republic. Our military is actually the big threat to our country.