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Private ownership of guns is only a basic human right in a sick society.
But, when someone walks into a church with a duffel bag full of offensive speech that makes 49 people commit suicide in a few minutes, let me know. I might compromise.
But, when someone walks into a church with a duffel bag full of offensive speech that makes 49 people commit suicide in a few minutes, let me know. I might compromise.
Jones is a good example. Imagine if what Jones did was considered protected free speech (it’s not). What would you think of a society that interpreted the right to speech in that way?
That’s what we have with guns.
That’s what we have with guns.
Imagine if, after Jonestown, there were more Jonestowns, many more.
Dozens a year.
Imagine if people fiercely defended the option to compel mass suicide as enshrined within their basic human rights.
What would you think of such people?
Dozens a year.
Imagine if people fiercely defended the option to compel mass suicide as enshrined within their basic human rights.
What would you think of such people?
But the analogy breaks down for the simple fact that free-speech is a right, and gun ownership is not.
Speech is a required right, though subject to some restrictions.
A gun is a technology. An object. A consumer good. Only a twisted worldview makes it a right.
Speech is a required right, though subject to some restrictions.
A gun is a technology. An object. A consumer good. Only a twisted worldview makes it a right.
The constitution is subject to interpretation.
Which means that the constitution is able to be interpreted badly.
Which means that the constitution is able to be interpreted badly.
The most obvious and sensible interpretation of the 2A is that it deals with firearms specifically within the context of regulated militias.
Like billeting of troops, a bigger deal then than now.
Like billeting of troops, a bigger deal then than now.
A complete nationwide ban on private ownership of firearms would not require a constitutional amendment, under the most sensible and obvious interpretation of the 2A.
It just requires courts that will interpret the 2A sensibly.
We don’t have that now. We should demand it.
It just requires courts that will interpret the 2A sensibly.
We don’t have that now. We should demand it.
To repeat an earlier thread, sweeping nationwide gun control is the compromise position, and we should remember it.
The courts are an obstacle now, so we should mobilize politically to change the courts.
It can be done. As we’ve seen.
The courts are an obstacle now, so we should mobilize politically to change the courts.
It can be done. As we’ve seen.
Our laws should reflect our values. And our values should be better than those currently reflected by our laws.
They say can’t be done. All they mean is they don’t want it to be done.
So they testify to their values, which testify against their morality.
They say can’t be done. All they mean is they don’t want it to be done.
So they testify to their values, which testify against their morality.
My feed’s full of gun defenders telling me that the national gun control legislation or a gun ban are impossible, because the courts will strike it down.
Which is only a statement about the first obstacle we need to address.
Which is only a statement about the first obstacle we need to address.
They’ll complain if we mobilize politically to fill the courts with people who’ll judge according to the most obvious and sensible reading of the 2A— but not b/c they object to such political activity.
After all, that’s what they did.
The objection is only that we would do it.
After all, that’s what they did.
The objection is only that we would do it.
And if we do that, then they’ll resort to the other thing my feet is currently full of: promises of violence and unlawful retribution.
The threat hardly recommends private gun ownership.
So, again, their bad worldview testifies against them.
The threat hardly recommends private gun ownership.
So, again, their bad worldview testifies against them.
When you pay attention to obvious things, it becomes clear which of those obvious things people making bad arguments are ignoring in order to make their bad arguments.
Focus on the obvious true good things, and work toward the goals they suggest. /end
Focus on the obvious true good things, and work toward the goals they suggest. /end
Good morning, by the way. How is everyone?
