Annie, Get your gun!

Are you an advocate of owning a gun? You may have heard plenty about the dangers of owning a hand gun and the news is full of examples of guns that end up in the hands of criminals, drug addicts, mentally ill or even young children with horrific results. But the truth is that owning a gun is not just a right that we have as a citizen but perhaps an important requirement to responsible citizenship.

Recently, there was a terrible shooting spree in Samson Alabama. The town is very small with only a 5 person police force. They were overwhelmed by the attack. The story might have just ended there with another example of how guns in the wrong hands are dangerous.

However there is more to the story with much broader implications. That small town was surprised to receive some quick assistance from 22 military police soldiers from Fort Rucker, Ala., along with the provost marshal. Statements since say that the soldiers, were directing traffic, securing the crime scenes and otherwise assisting the police of Samson where needed. What is not known is who called for their help- nor why they responded.

CNSNews.com says "Wrongful use of federal troops inside U.S. borders is a violation of several federal laws, including one known as the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, Title 18, Section 1385 of the U.S. Code. “Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army or the Air Force as a posse comitatus or otherwise to execute the laws shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both,” the law states."

Silly law? I think not! The President or the Alabama Governor still have the ability to call for the military to aid in civilian difficulties in extreme circumstances under the law, but neither party admits to calling for that aid. It was helpful in this instance but what if the military was not to be trusted and came in using their weapons and numbers to enforce whatever they saw fit at the time? Worse yet, what if, as some gun opponents wish, ONLY the military are allowed guns and civilians are completely unarmed? Then what happens in the situation where an armed military presence comes into town UNINVITED, to assist with something that they "deem" needs assistance?

The early Americans would have had no trouble recognizing the threat this poses. They were used to being bullied by a tyrannical government that used force to control the citizens, and the government thought that what it was doing was in the best interest of everyone. This understanding is the underlying reason for why the 2nd amendment exists. The right to bear arms was considered an integral part of keeping the goverment at a healthy distance.

It is never a bad thing to be prepared. Don't neglect the lessons learned by our founding fathers.
Get your guns and be vigilant. You may never need them ... but even if you don't you might hear what Ronald Reagan called the 9 most dangerous words in the English language, " I'm from the government and I'm here to help..."