Bob Barr: Gun ownership a freedom under Bill of Rights

I found this article about Bob Barr’s visit to The College of New Jersey, via Bob Barr’s website blog.  In his blog is highlighted the fact that he talks about the second amendment and gun ownership.  But I clicked on the link and found so much more to the original article.  Not that he doesn’t make great points about the second amendment, just saying there are additional things that stood out for me also.

Former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr spoke at the College the importance of the Bill of Rights to the freedom of American citizens.

Barr, who is currently seeking the Libertarian nomination for president, was brought by the College Republicans.

I think that is awesome that there are some college Republicans who are will to give Bob Barr a chance and not follow the party line, lock, stock and barrel.  Folks, I have been out of college for quite a while now.  But in my observations of college Republicans, it seems as though they are sheeple to the adults in the party.  Following along with however the adults tell them.

“Any organization that believes in free debate ought to be commended and participated in by everyone,” Barr said. “The point is not if you agree or disagree with the topic or the speaker but if you are interested in hearing a free debate of the issues.”

Love that!

The issues discussed that evening were primarily the current status of the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms, and the Fourth Amendment, the right of citizens “to be secure in their persons … and effects,” according to the Bill of the Rights.

“The Bill of Rights is probably the most magnificent piece of writing set down by the hands of man,” Barr said. “It has withstood the test of time … It’s very viable and respected, though not by the current administration.”

He continued, “If we do not continue to have, or rediscover, an educated citizenry … this document will be rendered meaningless. (The Bill of Rights) requires an educated citizenry, which is something we do not have nowadays.

He is so right.  Our citizenry does need to be educated.  But our citezenry is more concerned with what is going on with some skanky celebrity or looking up the latest LOL Cat.  I’s donts wants cheezeburger, I want liberty.  Hey, maybe someone can dress up a cat like Uncle Sam and use that phrase in a LOL Cat pic.

“I am of the group of people who have a presumption that the men who wrote these words had a purpose,” he said.

The Second Amendment, according to Barr, is essentially about the right of the people.

As an advocate of the Bill of Rights, it is important to get people to think of the Second Amendment as a reflection of fundamental freedom, according to Barr.

“If we allow ourselves to be drawn into arguing just about guns and ammunition, it’s very easy to lose that argument,” he said.

“If they misuse it, it’s their responsibility,” Barr said, referring to legal gun owners who do not properly and safely handle their guns. “Don’t make it harder for the rest of us.”

When questioned if it would be wise to allow professors to elect to arm themselves on college campuses, Barr replied that “it is nonsense to go on a campus and give up the right to bear arms.”

People have been saved by having firearms, Barr said, and since the Second Amendment is no more and no less important than the others, it should not get more stringent controls added to it. [more here]

 

 

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