August 01, 2004
"Guns Are Good For You," by Chris Claypoole
Chris Claypoole has some interesting commentary today inspired by his recent reading of Eric Raymond's essay "Ethics from the Barrel of a Gun."
I had already known that disarming the public was a standard tactic of repressive governments. I have always been a "no compromise" supporter of the right to bear arms, but from the perspective of the right to self-defense. I had not made the connection between bearing arms (not merely gun ownership, but carrying as a normal part of life) and development of a responsible adult. The kind of person that will take responsibility for his/her actions, regardless of the consequences, motives, or lack of full information. Which means that this kind of person tends to think before acting when possible, and act decisively from a sound set of ethical principles when necessary.
Posted by Russell Whitaker at August 1, 2004 10:42 AM | TrackBack
This brings me to the tangential epiphany: When Robert A. Heinlein wrote that "An armed society is a polite society," I had always thought he meant that people tend not to act like an asshole if it might get them ventilated. Now I believe that what was also, and more importantly, meant was that people in an armed society grow up polite because they are armed! Knowing that a careless act or moment of unguarded anger could ruin your life and end someone else's will make the vast majority of people act more responsibly.
Chris,
I liked your comment on a polite society. Believe me that I am a 100% 2A supporter. I wonder though how long it would take for the goblins to get the idea if the 2nd was ever adhered to as the founders intended it to be, for that matter the whole BOR. The oppressors already go into herniated hyperdrive whenever freedom rears it's head. Just think of the FUD and social conditioning rhetoric that would spew if taking personal responsibility became a reality and law was once again established to protect the innocent.
Fred H.
Posted by: Fred on February 22, 2007 09:02 AMChris,
I liked your comment on a polite society. Believe me that I am a 100% 2A supporter. I wonder though how long it would take for the goblins to get the idea if the 2nd was ever adhered to as the founders intended it to be, for that matter the whole BOR. The oppressors already go into herniated hyperdrive whenever freedom rears it's head. Just think of the FUD and social conditioning rhetoric that would spew if taking personal responsibility became a reality and law was once again established to protect the innocent.
Fred H.
Posted by: Fred on February 22, 2007 09:03 AMChris,
I liked your comment on a polite society. Believe me that I am a 100% 2A supporter. I wonder though how long it would take for the goblins to get the idea if the 2nd was ever adhered to as the founders intended it to be, for that matter the whole BOR. The oppressors already go into herniated hyperdrive whenever freedom rears it's head. Just think of the FUD and social conditioning rhetoric that would spew if taking personal responsibility became a reality and law was once again established to protect the innocent.
Fred H.
Posted by: Fred on February 22, 2007 09:03 AM