OK, I have to give credit where credit is due …
Trump won the 2016 election.
That in itself is an amazing job.
And, if the platform that President Elect Trump put on his website for the 2nd Amendment is any indication, he’s “winning” on his support of Gun Rights too (so far).
Trump’s Official Position On 2nd Amendment Rights
I don’t know when it was added to the Trump campaign website, (because I’m pretty sure it was NOT there at the beginning) but Trump released a pretty in-depth paper on Second Amendment Rights.
You can click here to read it and I’ve copied and pasted the contents below as of today’s date:
Second Amendment Rights
Donald J. Trump on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
The Second Amendment to our Constitution is clear. The right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed upon. Period.
The Second Amendment guarantees a fundamental right that belongs to all law-abiding Americans. The Constitution doesn’t create that right – it ensures that the government can’t take it away. Our Founding Fathers knew, and our Supreme Court has upheld, that the Second Amendment’s purpose is to guarantee our right to defend ourselves and our families. This is about self-defense, plain and simple.
It’s been said that the Second Amendment is America’s first freedom. That’s because the Right to Keep and Bear Arms protects all our other rights. We are the only country in the world that has a Second Amendment. Protecting that freedom is imperative. Here’s how we will do that:
Enforce The Laws On The Books
We need to get serious about prosecuting violent criminals. The Obama administration’s record on that is abysmal. Violent crime in cities like Baltimore, Chicago and many others is out of control. Drug dealers and gang members are given a slap on the wrist and turned loose on the street. This needs to stop.
Several years ago there was a tremendous program in Richmond, Virginia called Project Exile. It said that if a violent felon uses a gun to commit a crime, you will be prosecuted in federal court and go to prison for five years – no parole or early release. Obama’s former Attorney General, Eric Holder, called that a “cookie cutter” program. That’s ridiculous. I call that program a success. Murders committed with guns in Richmond decreased by over 60% when Project Exile was in place – in the first two years of the program alone, 350 armed felons were taken off the street.
Why does that matter to law-abiding gun owners? Because they’re the ones who antigun politicians and the media blame when criminals misuse guns. We need to bring back and expand programs like Project Exile and get gang members and drug dealers off the street. When we do, crime will go down and our cities and communities will be safer places to live.
Here’s another important way to fight crime – empower law-abiding gun owners to defend themselves. Law enforcement is great, they do a tremendous job, but they can’t be everywhere all of the time. Our personal protection is ultimately up to us. That’s why I’m a gun owner, that’s why I have a concealed carry permit, and that’s why tens of millions of Americans have concealed carry permits as well. It’s just common sense. To make America great again, we’re going to go after criminals and put the law back on the side of the law-abiding.
Fix Our Broken Mental Health System
Let’s be clear about this. Our mental health system is broken. It needs to be fixed. Too many politicians have ignored this problem for too long.
All of the tragic mass murders that occurred in the past several years have something in common – there were red flags that were ignored. We can’t allow that to continue. We need to expand treatment programs, because most people with mental health problems aren’t violent, they just need help. But for those who are violent, a danger to themselves or others, we need to get them off the street before they can terrorize our communities. This is just common sense.
And why does this matter to law-abiding gun owners? Once again, because they get blamed by anti-gun politicians, gun control groups and the media for the acts of deranged madmen. When one of these tragedies occurs, we can count on two things: one, that opponents of gun rights will immediately exploit it to push their political agenda; and two, that none of their so-called “solutions” would have prevented the tragedy in the first place. They’ve even admitted it.
We need real solutions to address real problems. Not grandstanding or political agendas.
Defend The Rights of Law-Abiding Gun Owners
GUN AND MAGAZINE BANS. Gun and magazine bans are a total failure. That’s been proven every time it’s been tried. Opponents of gun rights try to come up with scary sounding phrases like “assault weapons”, “military-style weapons” and “high capacity magazines” to confuse people. What they’re really talking about are popular semiautomatic rifles and standard magazines that are owned by tens of millions of Americans. Law-abiding people should be allowed to own the firearm of their choice. The government has no business dictating what types of firearms good, honest people are allowed to own.
BACKGROUND CHECKS. There has been a national background check system in place since 1998. Every time a person buys a gun from a federally licensed gun dealer – which is the overwhelming majority of all gun purchases – they go through a federal background check. Study after study has shown that very few criminals are stupid enough to try and pass a background check – they get their guns from friends/family members or by stealing them. So the overwhelming majority of people who go through background checks are law-abiding gun owners. When the system was created, gun owners were promised that it would be instant, accurate and fair. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case today. Too many states are failing to put criminal and mental health records into the system – and it should go without saying that a system’s only going to be as effective as the records that are put into it. What we need to do is fix the system we have and make it work as intended. What we don’t need to do is expand a broken system.
NATIONAL RIGHT TO CARRY. The right of self-defense doesn’t stop at the end of your driveway. That’s why I have a concealed carry permit and why tens of millions of Americans do too. That permit should be valid in all 50 states. A driver’s license works in every state, so it’s common sense that a concealed carry permit should work in every state. If we can do that for driving – which is a privilege, not a right – then surely we can do that for concealed carry, which is a right, not a privilege.
MILITARY BASES AND RECRUITING CENTERS. Banning our military from carrying firearms on bases and at recruiting centers is ridiculous. We train our military how to safely and responsibly use firearms, but our current policies leave them defenseless. To make America great again, we need a strong military. To have a strong military, we need to allow them to defend themselves.
First, Let Me PRAISE Trump
Because I’m so SICK of hearing the “you just need guns for hunting and sporting purposes” I’m so happy to see Trump approach the 2nd Amendment the way it was intended.
To quote the second paragraph:
“The Second Amendment guarantees a fundamental right that belongs to all law-abiding Americans. The Constitution doesn’t create that right – it ensures that the government can’t take it away. Our Founding Fathers knew, and our Supreme Court has upheld, that the Second Amendment’s purpose is to guarantee our right to defend ourselves and our families. This is about self-defense, plain and simple.“
This is definitely a breath of fresh air to read, that the President Elect is talking like this!
Notice it points out that the natural right of self-defense is a “fundamental” right that the constitution does NOT create. The constitution only ensures (or is supposed to ensure) that the government does NOT restrict this right.
And that this right is solely about self-defense. Period. Full stop.
This is good stuff, and excellent framing for the rest of the text that’s to follow.
If Trump ACTUALLY believes that, then I’m very proud of him because it means his thinking has truly evolved over the years.
That’s a Pretty Good Start … But It’s Not Enough
While I was very concerned that Trump didn’t seem to know much about the 2nd Amendment during the debates (he flubbed some prime opportunities to shut Hillary down), I must say, this is a great start!
But I think it’s too easy …
Especially if Trump gets two full terms.
But even if he only gets 4 year, He could EASILY get all that done in his first year or two.
That leaves two more years for just his first term.
Obviously, there’s a lot more he could do.
And, obviously, these are all the starting points.
For example, National Reciprocity for concealed carry is a GREAT start and would eliminate a lot of hassles … but it’s not enough. Would that include when you travel to all the unfree states like NY, NJ, MD, CA, etc? National reciprocity is “almost” useless without being able to also carry in those states as well.
The truth is that with the GOP in control of both the Senate AND House, there should be no reason we don’t see a TON of pro-gun legislation enacted in the next 4 years under Trump.
If we don’t? I consider it a total failure on Trump’s part. Period.
Under Obama we saw concealed carry laws advance to the point where EVERY state now has one on the books. We also saw, in 2016 alone, 4 more states adopting permitless carry laws (True Constitutional Carry).
If we don’t see National reciprocity, and then eventually, True Constitutional Carry in the same 80-90% of states by the end of Trump’s term I’d be pissed.
If Trump gets two terms and we don’t see full constitutional carry everywhere I’d be really pissed.
In addition we reported on the 5 gun laws Trump could immediately push through:
1. Ending Gun-Free Zones On Military Bases
2. National Concealed Carry Reciprocity
3. Legalizing Silencers
4. NICS Background Check Reform
5. Allow Importation of Collectable Historical Firearms
Obviously, I’m excited about concealed carry rights and also silencers becoming fully legal.
In fact, the entire NFA should be repealed, but that takes Congress. It SHOULD happen though because the law is totally, completely, ridiculously ass backwards and just dumb.
There are some other notable “stroke of the pen” things Trump could achieve quickly.
Make Machine Guns Great Again!
One of those things, BearingArms.com writes Trump could do is repealing the Hughes Amendment:
“One of the most deplorable acts of legislators is to slip amendments into bills just before they are being voted upon, before other legislators know what they’re voting upon. In 1986, a gun control fanatic from New Jersey slipped a “poison pill” into the Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986 (FOPA) in hopes of derailing the bill. Instead, House Democrats momentarily had a numerical advantage, and “passed” the so-called Hughes Amendment on a voice vote over strenuous objects. The Hughes Amendment meant that no private citizen could own a machine gun manufactured after the bill went into a law in 1986, though they could continue to possess, buy, sell, and trade any machine manufactured before that time as long as they complied with the stringent controls put in place by the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA).
Lawfully purchased machine guns are simply not used in crimes, despite there being some 240,000 in existence. The Hughes Amendment was not passed to stop crimes with lawfully-owned machine guns (as they simply do not exist), but was instead nothing more or less than a spiteful law meant to keep law-abiding citizens already closely monitored by the ATF from being able to purchase new machine guns.
The Hughes Amendment was nothing more or less than an act of spite by anti-gun Democrats three decades ago, and should be repealed in the same manner it was introduced, with a simple amendment to another piece of legislation.”
As I understand it, that would mean you still have to deal with the NFA crap to get the machine gun … which is still bad.
But it’s a step in the right direction I guess and something Trump could do immediately without Congress as I understand it.
Electing 1 or More Pro-Gun, Constitutionally Minded Judges To The Supreme Court Will Be Trump’s Lasting Legacy
As we all know Justice Scalia recently passed away and on of the things that Trump will be able to do now as President is elect a conservative judge to replace him.
This is good, because for the most part (unless you were gay) Scalia was a staunch supporter of individual rights. As Trump’s website itself said:
“We have a very clear choice in this election. The freedoms we cherish and the constitutional values and principles our country was founded on are in jeopardy. The responsibility is greater than ever to protect and uphold these freedoms and I will appoint justices, who like Justice Scalia, will protect our liberty with the highest regard for the Constitution. This list is definitive and I will choose only from it in picking future Justices of the United States Supreme Court. I would like to thank the Federalist Society, The Heritage Foundation and the many other individuals who helped in composing this list of twenty-one highly respected people who are the kind of scholars that we need to preserve the very core of our country, and make it greater than ever before.”
And as ZeroHedge pointed out …
“As of right now, only Justice Scalia’s seat is open and Trump’s replacement there will simply restore the previous 5-4 conservative vs. liberal balance. That said, 3 other justices are near/in their 80’s and could be replaced during a Trump presidency. If all three judges are replaced, it would massively shift the balance of power to 7-2 conservative vs. liberal.“
That’s one of the reasons — for the logical, thinking people anyways — that this election was so important.
The weighting of the judges on the Supreme Court and how they interpret the constitution is very important as to the rule of law in this country.
Overall, Trump Is Talking Like He Supports The 2nd Amendment, Let’s Hold Him To It!
I don’t think it’s any secret that a BIG part of the reason why Trump got elected was because of gun owners like you and I.
And now Trump is talking a good game about how he is going to support 2nd Amendment rights …
That’s awesome.
But we all know that politicians LOVE to talk a big game to get elected and never follow through …
So let’s all make sure we hold Trump to it.
And with the rare convergence of a GOP controlled House, Senate and Executive Branch there’s no reason at all we can’t use the “ballot box” over the next 4 years to advance the rights of all American’s individual liberty back to something — at least somewhat — resembling the America of 1776.
Awesome! Gun are good for protecting ourselves.
Lets get rid of the illegal gun laws that infringe on the 2nd Amendment:
1. STUPID Suppressor laws.
2. STUPID Short barrel laws.
3. STUPID Automatic Laws.
How about STUPID laws which OPPOSE Our Second Amendment.
Personally, I see no reason for anyone to own an assault weapon or a fully automatic weapon with limitless artillery in the well. But, that is merely my OPINION, **NOT** LAW!
Were my opinion to become law, it would VIOLATE Our Second Amendment, yet that form of law is currently in existence. Those laws MUST be REPUDIATED AND REPEALED in order to comply with Our Second Amendment.
Observe this clearly that my opinion conflicts with Our Second Amendment. I don’t think anyone needs much more than a six-shot revolver for self-defense. Our Second Amendment disagrees with me. Yet, I am mature enough to understand that Our ForeFathers were WISER than I, and, therefore, established Our Second Amendment.
I am a registered Republican, and try to vote as such. At heart, though, I am a combination of a Constitutionalist and a Libertarian, with a HEAVY lean toward Constitutionalist.
Assault weapons are not automatic weapons; During my military career ( CWO4 USA retired) I fired these such as M2 50 caliber machine guns, M 60 7.62 machine guns , M 14 rifle with single shot/auto selector switch and M 16 A 1 rifle with auto/single shot selector switch. Your opines are fine however the tyrants in the Executive , Legislative and Judicial Branches of our Govt. want to enslave the populace and make Americans dependent upon them. If it were not for guys like me fighting for this formerly soon to be again great country peoples throughout the world would not enjoy their freedoms.
“I SEE NO REASON TO OWN AN ASSAULT WEAPON OR A FULLY AUTOMATIC WEAPON.” O.K. IF< YOU really believe that, consider this.—- I SEE NO REASON TO OWN AN 8 CYLINDER AUTOMOBILE. A 4 cylinder will easily reach the legal speed limit, carry you safely to your destination, ETC.ETC.
Both assumptions are WRONG. Americans should be allowed to BUY any LEGAL product that they WANT , NOT what someone else thinks they SHOULD buy.
You probably OWN several common items that some nosey,— know-it-all —
Thinks you should not own. THEY ARE WRONG.
Assault WEAPONS are auto-loading (semi-automatic) firearms that COSMETICALLY resemble military rifles. They are not functionally different than any other semi-automatic firearms that have been produced for over a century. The anti-gun people use that term so that uninformed people will confuse them with assault RIFLES, which are capable of multi-round firing, per trigger pull.
As to magazine capacity, the criminals won’t follow that law, so why put law-abiding gun owners at a disadvantage?
if we dont do that
then only cryminals will have guns
What a unique idea —ENFORCE THE LAWS WE ALREADY HAVE and don’t expand a broken system(by adding more unenforced laws). Finally someone who lives in reality and not some libtard fantasy world. I think the sane people in this country have been saying that very thing for years.
well he will do better than the coon from kenya.hes a honest white man god bless donald j trump
To Mr. President Trump,
President Trump is a Friend of mine and I am certain gladly accepts your blessings. That said we are a multi cultural Country. We include all backgrounds without malice of forethought. Live and Let Live. We who are Citizens of this Great Country have a duty to treat Americans with dignity. God Bless You President Trump,
Your Friend
Gail Doyle
This is one reason I have supported Trump. He favors the Second Amendment and he will appoint a conservative justice to the Supreme Court. He likely will also have a second chance for an appointment. That is critical for the security of the Constitution.
As for mental health, we are a long way from getting on top of mental health. That does not mean we should stop working on the issue. By all means it is critical.
My MAIN support of Trump was out of FEAR. Clinton SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME!!!! In my mind, a scenario went like someone would claim my weapon at my door, I would use it to fire my refusal, they would shoot me down, and Clinton would win another political victory.
I truly was afraid of the possibily that Clintonh would win. DEATHLY AFRAID. From FEAR, I screwed many things in my life, paid a $20 taxi ride, all so I could vote for Trump at the poll station. I viewed this as an emergency that reqirred my IMMEDIATE attention, and that is what it got. I have high blood pressure, and I was in PANIC mode until I was SURE that Trump had won.
Note that I was in PANIC again when I thought that the electorate could have denied him his goal. I was dismally ill on that night.
What so few people realize is gun control laws are not and never have been about public safety. They are and always have been about the safety of those who wish to wield power. The first serious gun control laws appeared after the Civil War as part of the Jim Crow Laws passed by entrenched southern Demorat politicians as a protection against potential political power of recently freed slaves. Since that time gun control laws have been used to marginalize one segment or another of society. Now that the federal government has grown so bloated and out of control, those like most Demorat politicians, wish to further protect themselves from the political power of the masses. An unarmed citizenry is not only easier to control, that citizenry has to depend on the government for their protection, which further empowers those running government. Remember this: If the private law abiding citizen is denied their 2nd Amendment rights, only criminals, terrorists, and the GOVERNMENT will be armed!! That should scare the stuffing out of any sensible, thinking person. Another point: When a license is required to exercise a constitutionally protected right, it ceases to be a RIGHT and becomes a PRIVALEDGE granted at the pleasure of government!!
Very well put pal: Americans need to be and stay informed about what the Govt. tyrants are doing and have done; same sex restrooms; VP Biden performing marriage of 2 male homosexuals in Navy residence; Supreme court justice Ginsburg marrying 2 female homosexuals then declaring that she will depart our country if Trump is elected; impeachable ?
We can only hope that Ginsberg (and the other Leftists that made similar claims) lives up to her statement, resigns January 20th, and leaves the country.
GOOD FOR TRUMP……!
If I am not mistaken the 2nd Amendments primary function is not “self defense”, but to protect us from any administration or group that wants to kick our Constitution and our Constitutional Republic to the curb. It is the 2nd amendment that facilitates a functional and effective 3rd branch of the military, the militia.
So why do we keep minimalizing the 2nd Amendment?
Correct. Though I’d argue self-defense includes defense against ones own government.
Great article, Caleb. I agree with every point you made. I also agree with Valor’s post. Repealing the NFA and all of the other laws spawned as extensions of it, like the 1968 Act, etc., should be a priority. If the NFA goes away, then there is little need for the BATF to be kept around, since it was also spawned by the NFA and Prohibition. That gets rid of another illicit Federal Police force. The Constitution only authorizes the Federal Government the authority to see to the National Defense. It does not grant it ANY police powers. That means the FBI, Federal Marshals, etc., are all Federal overreaches. If we wanted to keep some of it around, the authority for the Federal Government to exercise police powers should be formally granted and very precisely limited by the states through a Constitutional Amendment.
And Trump is just getting started. Imagine what he can do when he’s President.
Ecclesia: Marshals conference call tonight (and a request to Gary Larrabee) https://youtu.be/dUSDVIWc-Ko via @YouTube
The Second Amendment was for all the people to be able to defend themselves and our Nation from all enemies, foreign and domestic. This includes our own government, should it become tyrannical.
Watch out for a recess appointment of a Justice by Obama.
SCOTUS already ruled that Obama can’t make those appointments, as long as the Senate holds pro forma sessions. Even the Justices that he appointed agreed. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/06/26/supreme-court-obama-senate-appointments/8528059/
I believe false flags like Sandy Hook and the killing of Chief Justice Scalia were all about the gun grab. Our government is run by evil people who see us as sheep who they can manipulate. We should never allow our guns to be taken away. Check out PizzaGate people this is what our leaders are involved in. I voted for Trump and I know he is not a perfect person but who is. Hillary on the other hand is a felon. Check out the YouTube video Clinton Cash. The anti Trump riots are being funded by the billionaire Soros.
THE TRUTH BEHIND WORLD WAR 3 https://youtu.be/DIB774CM_lw via @YouTube
Facebook is in cahoots with the government – switch over to Seen.life. It is similar to Facebook but without all censorship.
Disqus.com is requiring what they determine to be far right sources have a back up of what they determine is a credible source. No such requirement for far left sources.
ANY politician who does NOT support the SECOND AMENDMENT should NEVER be elected to ANY public office. WHY ?—#1 Because that person DOES NOT — FULLY– support the basis upon which this nation was founded. #2 They do NOT trust nor respect the law abiding citizens. #3 Their personal bias and selfish interest will manifest it’s counter productive results to the detriment of community interests.
The only ones that don’t support the 2nd amendment are tyrants. Everyone should read the Federalist Papers.
And their Oath to Uphold The US Constitution is not sincere. (In a sense: It is Perjury.)
Good points Guntoter: You might add a #4. They also betrayed their oath to uphold and defend our Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, thereby in my opinion, becoming enemies of our Constitution.
Basics on Operation Mockingbird: The Subversion Of The Free Press By The CIA http://galacticconnection.com/basics-on-operation-mockingbird-the-subversion-of-the-free-press-by-the-cia/
There are many purposes for the 2nd amendment but the first is not ” self defense”. That is a very important part of it but the main reason is for the government to fear the people. To guard against tyranny. Yes that is self-defense but as a country as a whole. One only needs to read the Federalist Papers to learn what the founders of our country felt the 2nd amendment was for and what it enumerated.
I particularly like the idea of reciprocity of gun carry permits. This really makes sense.
I have read the comments praising Trump for his pronouncement of strong support of the Second Amendment. —- BUT, I almost choked when I saw the probable candidates for Secretary of State.
Three ANTI-GUN , ANTI-SECOND AMENDMENT , GUN_BAN “WANNA BEES”
PAETRAEUS, ROMNEY, and RUDY G, — IF, — IF, Trump really is PRO Second Amendment, he will NEVER appoint one of these 3 SCALAWAGS.
JOHN BOLTON is experienced, educated, and proficient in dealing with foreign leaders and complex problems. He is ,BY FAR , the wisest choice. I pray that happens.
Last I heard, the latest frontrunner was the CEO of Exxon-Mobil.
Cutting to the chase:
just try to imagine where “WE the People” and our status would be today-
IF there never was a 2nd-Amendment-!
WE would have been sheep under federal control for 229 yrs.
Yes its –
God- (Providencial reverence for Christ+Scripture)
Guts- ( courage to stand up to tyranny even to death)
Guns- (needed tools to impliment freedom+security)
-that made us free and will keep us free-!
MAO’bama realized this mindset is a problem for an Alinsky Amerika to happen ~!
Everyone keeps talking about the justices “interpreting the Constitution”.
When it should only be to assertain actual Founder’s INTENT.
An “intertpretation” is an opinion- open to bias and predisposed ideologies.
Whereas hundreds of writings of the Founders on the 2nd-Amendment are clear;
and they should be the only guide used and quoted in their written court record.
Personal court “opinions” and precident with case law are – IRRELEVANT.
Only Founders clear intent has ANY merit that can stand as lawfully intended or
“it is no law at all” ~!
One thing that was not mentioned, most criminals get their guns from illegal gun dealers and the black market.
One thing that was not mentioned is that most criminals get their guns from illegal gun dealers and the black market.
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