Stephen wrote:I understand the debate as to whether the law would be meaningful in that it may well be trumped by federal law. However, we are a nation founded on principle and eventually we will have to make the choice to stand up for those principles or sit down and keep out mouth shut.
These laws make a statement and they show that we have made a choice. It shows that we have chosen to stand together in resistance to laws which violate the constitution.
Let's say for a moment that Feinstein's bill or one similar to it passes. Much like the impact of a Texas sized asteroid, it will eventually happen given enough time. Take in to account the unpredictable nature of our government and the people of this nation it may happen very soon. It may very well go far beyond even what Feinstein has in mind. At that point will you be turning in your firearms, will you hide them, will you have any support at all?
At some point people will be required to stand up to the fed government regarding gun control and IMO the best way to do that would be as a state with our state law enforcement backing us. There are already 5 states who have passed these laws and SC looking at it. How many states do you think the federal government would attempt to take on. There have already been cases of sheriffs departments running federal agents out of town due to ridiculous federal regulation that puts good people on the wrong side of some ill conceived federal law. The thought that the fed is so powerful the we could not resist it at the state level is, IMO, laughable.
We will eventually have to take a stand on a large scale, the few who are worried about our votes may not be enough to sway the vote and with the numerous backroom deals that take place in DC many are likely to vote one way or another based on an owed favor or bargaining for an upcoming vote. I only hope we do not wait so long that their is little left to stand up and defend. It will be much harder to get our rights back than it will be to preserve them to begin with.
This post, along with several others somewhat similar, but worded more carefully, discreetly, and less pointed, get very close, in my opinion, to going just a bit too far. I have watched the drift here on the forum for some time, and I am honestly concerned as I observe what just may be a contest developing with respect to who can use the stronger language or be more macho. Given the current political situation domestically this is certainly not an unexpected development.
When I see just the 3rd post of a member joining just today sounding off this way I must conclude that perhaps a little education is in order for a few, certainly not all, of our members. Standing up for one's principles is honorable, but he or she when standing up should be sure that she or he knows just what may be at stake if their bluff is called. Nathan Hale knew just exactly what was at stake, but he stood up for his principles.
But he knew, and perhaps not everyone knows.
Rosa Parks knew. John Brown knew, before he was taken down by a force of U. S. Marines led by Colonel Robert E. Lee, of the U. S. cavalry.
I would suggest that we may be well-advised to take the time to read Title 18, Chapter 115, of the U. S. Code --
all of it, but particularly Sections 2384 ("Seditious Conspiracy") and 2385 ("Advocating overthrow of Government"). Chapter 115 is readily available in several, if not many, places on the Internet. Reading Chapter 115 may be a wise new year's resolution.
I am not saying that anyone has gone too far yet -- only that some may have approached going outside the lines. When I read members saying words
to the effect that "if the Feds try to enforce that law on me, I will not go down quietly, I will fight, using a deadly weapon" and then I see other members saying words
to the effect of "me too, I'll be with you," I cannot help but feel that some could use a little review on concepts like "conspiracy" and an introduction to limitations on certain of the first 10 amendments. Like the 1st. The 2nd is not the only amendment which may, to the judiciary, mean less than its literal wording.
I am not saying that there are not Constitutional issues posed by Chapter 115, nor am I saying that such issues can not be posed by the government's application of the chapter to individual cases.
I will note, on the other hand, that there have been successful prosecutions of violations of Sections 2384 and 2385. It may be interesting to some of you to learn that these cases have tended to be reactions to acts
and words coming from the left. Someday we may well see reactions to acts and words coming from the right. We may, for example, see the burgeoning modern "militias" lead the way.
I have been hesitant to raise this matter, as my political and moral principles are no secret here, and I will not be surprised to not be taken seriously. On the other hand, given my knowledge and experience it just may be worth the flames if I save somebody time, money or even freedom for doing something or saying something
not absolutely required to support his or her principles.
Jim