Why Republicans Are The Minority Party (Part MCXVII)

Witness Spencer Bachus (R-AL):

Bachus discussed a number of topics in his speech Thursday morning. He did not give the response some small city officials were hoping for when they asked if he would oppose all gun bans.

Instead, he said, it may be necessary to ban some assault weapons to keep hunting rifles and guns from being outlawed.

How would Spencer feel about giving up some of his First Amendment rights -- say, the freedom to exercise his religion -- in order to protect other First Amendment rights, like his right to open his mouth to release his flatulence about gun rights?

The Second Amendment is not about hunting. It is not about target shooting. If you believe that it is, you are not fit for elected office.

He said he is discouraging those who ask him whether they should arm themselves in preparation for economic or government trouble ahead. "I think peaceful, nonviolent protest is the way to go," he said.

Sure. And when citizens attend peaceful, nonviolent protests and are categorized by their government as extremists and homegrown terrorists, then what?

This DHS report warns of the terrorist threat from those who "are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely."

Wow... that sounds just like me! Now I'm a Homeland Security terrorist threat! See you at the re-education camp, folks. But I digress... back to Bachus:

He said he also believes it is a threat that the criminals will begin out-gunning the police officers. He said everyone should also be aware of the role weapons are playing in the recent multiple shooting tragedies around the country.

I'm concerned about criminals out-gunning the police, too. But I am far more concerned about criminals out-gunning me. I do not and will not rely on the police or any other government agency for protection of my rights, life or property. They are under no obligation to protect me; this is a fact. Why should I depend on them?

If others want their lives to hinge on a 9-1-1 operator or a police officer who might be 30 minutes away, that is their choice; I would oppose any and all legislation to prevent them from doing so. Just don't interfere with my right and my duty to protect myself and my family by telling me which and how many guns I may own.