Why we have the Second Amendment

I recently participated in a discussion about why we have the second amendment and how to support gun rights. As was pointed out in that discussion, the second amendment was added to make sure that people have the right and the ability to defend themselves from tyrannical governments.

In 2002, the JPFO published a list of genocides in the 20th century that have occurred in countries with gun control.

# 1915 - 1917 Ottoman Turkey, 1.5 million Armenians murdered;
# 1929 - 1953 Soviet Union, 20 million people that opposed Stalin were murdered;
# 1933 - 1945 Nazi occupied Europe, 13 million Jews Gypsies and others that opposed Hitler were murdered;
# 1927 - 1949 China, 10 million pro communists;
# 1948 - 1952 China, 20 million anti communists;
# 1960 - 1981 Guatemala, 100,000 Mayan Indians Murdered;
# 1971 - 1979 Uganda, 300,000 Christians and Political Rivals of Idi Amin murdered;
# 1975 - 1979 Cambodia, 2 million educated persons murdered.
# 1994 Rwanda 800,000 Tutsi's murdered.
# 1992 - 1995 Bonsia 200,000 Muslims murdered.

When this is pointed out to many people on the left of the political spectrum they respond with "That could not happen here."

But it has happened here, with the Native Americans and members of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Gun Control laws in the south were often aimed at prevent African Americans from being able to defend themselves, enabling lynchings.

And for things that could never happen here, point out the number of things that were said that could never happen here that after September 11th, have happened here. Suspension of Habeas Corpus. Warrentless Wiretapping.

Sic Semper Tyrannis

What can the Obama administration for libertarians

This morning during my drive into work I started to think about what issues libertarians should push for the Obama administration and the Democrat controlled congress to enact. The one issue I think that could be good for the country and popular with many Democrats is an end to the war on Drugs.

Money spent fighting the War on Drugs could be put into drug rehabilitation programs and harm reduction programs. This would do many things including:

1. Reduce the prison population
2. Improve healthcare
3. Reduce spending on the failed War on Drugs
   

National Right to Carry

A bill has been introduced to the house which would provide for a national right to carry. Now I all for this bill, but I feel that it shouldn't be necessary due to a combination of the 2nd amendment and the full faith and credit clause.

However, some people who are otherwise pro gun have argued that they are against this bill since it should be up to the states and view this a states rights issue.

This is a significant issue with Libertarians and one reason I won't join the party. As a whole, they are too ideological and not pragmatic. In order to win elections you need to be pragmatic.