GUNS DON'T KILL PEOPLE, OR DO THEY?

[HairOfTheDog]

I absolutely believe that an armed populace is a necessary right of a free country. A government of powerless people is the most dangerous thing in history.

I generally agree with this; I believe that responsible people who want to arm themselves for self-defense, against violent criminals or even the threat of governmental (domestic or foreign) tyranny, should be able to do so, and should be required to do so safely so as not to pose a threat to innocent people.

I don't think individuals should be able to own every weapon under the sun, though. Donovan's point was a valid one, in my opinion.

Am I about to run off and take over federal buildings in Oregon? No. But there is a benefit to that spectacle. Every politician in America sees what could happen.

I'm glad you won't be running off there; you'd probably freeze your balls off out there chasing around the loons and woodpeckers.

I disagree that there's a benefit to that public spectacle, other than its mock-worthiness. It's backwards and dangerous.

So those ranchers want free land, free grazing rights, total freedom to do what they please with federal (which means the national public's) lands for their own profit. Well, alright then. They can protest, petition, run for office, file suit, get the ultra conservative pundits singing their praises... -- stick it to the man, legally and without jeopardizing other people's lives when theirs aren't being threatened.

The fact that there have been no consequences, thus far, for Cliven Bundy showed these guys and every armed extremist that they can disobey the law, threaten law enforcement with loaded weapons, steal other people's property, infringe upon the lives of others, get special treatment, and just carry on doing more of the same in attempt to get what they want. They're the oppressors, not the government, regardless of how one feels about the merits of their cause. The citizens of Burns taking up arms and driving the Bundy interlopers off by force in order to defend/regain their freedoms would be be a better example of why the Second Amendment matters today than what the self-proclaimed "patriot militia' is doing. In my opinion.