Gun Regulation Splits Party Lines and the Court

When the first settlers arrived on American soil they faced a land rich with bounty and rife with unknown dangers. In order to forge ahead to pioneer this lush land, they found their trusty “weapons” were, at times, their most valued possessions. As time has evolved in America, the citizens have found that living in civilized communities, which honor the rule of law, has over-ridden the need to hang a rifle at the door for protection. However, many still enjoy the occasion to shoot for sport and for food.

In society today, we tend to recognize the gun-lovers and the gun-haters by political party reference: Republicans and Democrats, respectively. It is rare, but not impossible, to find a “gun-toting Liberal” in America today. An article published on the blog Our Free* Country, written by Samara Mendez, a self-professed “vegetarian hippie socialist who would like to own guns,” poses two very important questions. The first: “Why do so many liberals hate guns?” And, second: “Why are liberal gun owners so dismally represented in today’s politics?”

She points out that although she is a part of a “growing minority” as a Liberal who appreciates the right to own her own guns there are good reasons to regulate gun ownership, not ban it completely as most Liberals prefer. She values the collective voice of the Liberal Democrats on social and economic issues, but she feels that “taking guns out of the hands of responsible citizens” is the wrong message to advocate. If she chooses to take a stand for the Second Amendment and uphold her right to bear arms, Ms. Mendez feels she must sacrifice her political allegiance in part to the Democratic ticket; therefore she stops short of taking action to become a leading force in this cause for regulation over banning.

Although I lean more to the Conservative political view, I am not a gun owner. I have long held the belief that we should take the guns off the streets and out of the hands of criminals. I believe citizens should have the right to own weapons for protection and for sporting, so I uphold the view of Ms. Mendez that gun regulation is necessary.

In March 2008, Gallup published a poll which shows “73% of Americans believe the Second Amendment to the Constitution guarantees the rights of Americans to own guns.” In the Supreme Court ruling in June 2008, the court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the 2nd Amendment does give Americans the right to possess firearms as an “individual right.” The court ruled that the strict gun control in Washington, D. C., violated the Second Amendment.

Based on this ruling, I believe that Ms. Mendez is in good company with her beliefs. I recommend that she join forces with The Liberal Gun Club (http://www.theliberalgunclub.com), an organization that shares her ideals about owning guns as liberals who would like to see gun regulation laws. The website invites good authors to submit articles for their review. I for one will be checking back on a regular basis to see if Ms. Mendez has found a platform for her voice!

I hope that she (as well as all citizens) will find the courage to vote her conscience and stand for what she believes, regardless what party title is listed above the cause. Stand left of center when you believe it is the correct thing to do, but never fear venturing to the right if it serves your cause: That is the right that your Constitution grants you.