Why are Republicans fanatical about the 2nd Amendment, but trash the 1st & 4th Amendments?

[E-Z-B]

They're quick to stand up and defend the 2nd Amendment during a national tragedy (which seems to allow militias, or police forces, a matter of debate), but free speech, freedom of religion, and freedom from unreasonable search (i.e., illegal wiretappings) are attributed to the "radical left", and should be re-interpreted by the president.

[LuckyTheDog]

1. Gun manufacturers

Gun manufacturers don't make money from the other amendments.

[firebirdconv]

4. That's just stupid

You need to get out more. Gun owners get just as outraged by these issues of illegal searches, freedom of speech, etc.

I know this falls on deaf ears, but the Second Amendment is what keeps the other two in place. Ask a true conservative what he thinks about these two issues, you might be surprised.

[Norquist Nemesis]

6. And a big welcome to you, too!

:redbox: :patriot: :redbox:

[Virginia Dare]

7. So, surprise us...n/t

[garybeck]

18. stupid but true

everything about the republican party is about the money, or votes. there's something on the surface, but if you look deeper, it's about the money. just because it's stupid doesn't mean it's not true. nothing has to be based on facts or reality. as long as it generates cash for the businesses who support the party, or generates votes by giving an impression that they support this or that ideal, it's republican.

[wicket]

19. "Ask a true conservative"

Are you a true conservative? :P

Kidding! Welcome to DU! "hi:

[zanne]

20. Whenever gun issues come up, people come out of nowhere...

People we've never heard of before start posting like maniacs. Now don't go ratting to the mods about the big mean lady who hinted at the possibility of lurkers among us. We all know where your firearm passion comes from.

[E-Z-B]

23. Why is that stupid? The Iraq War was started to make profits.

Just ask Halliburton.

[WinkyDink]

27. Are "gun owners" that naive that they think everyone who has our easy access to guns is a good guy?

Are they further so naive that they don't understand the concept of a previously-good guy becoming enraged and reaching for a ready gun to get rid of said rage?

It ain't easy to strangle, poison, hit-and-run, stab, hammer, or drown THIRTY-TWO PEOPLE AT ONE TIME.

So "true conservatives" can just take their faux-outrage and go hunting with Dick Cheney.

[firebirdconv]

34. What you see as a problem, I see as a solution

Solution being to allow people to carry whenever and whereever if they are licensed to do so. Are gun grabbers so naive to think that someone intent on going on a rampage on a campus will not care that it is a gun free zone?

The gun people I know treat their gun with utmost respect as well as, the unfortunate laws that keep them from carrying in certain areas such as a school. If someone becomes so enraged as you put it, those situtations usually result in the physical beating, choking, strangle, etc.

But if you don't like guns, fine, don't own one, but don't try and take away someone else's right to protection b/c you think they are "scary".

As for the Second, it is not ambiguous, nor a collective right. The ambiguity has been created by those that want to limit the right to bear arms.

[WinkyDink]

35. You must be new to this country and its firearms death rate---esp. for CHILDREN.

America is losing too many children to gun violence. Between 1979 and 2001, gunfire killed 90,000 children and teens in America. (Children's Defense Fund and National Center for Health Statistics)
In one year, more children and teens died from gunfire than from cancer, pneumonia, influenza, asthma, and HIV/AIDS combined. (Children's Defense Fund)
The rate of firearm deaths among kids under age 15 is almost 12 times higher in the United States than in 25 other industrialized countries combined. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
America and Gun Violence

Every day, more than 80 Americans die from gun violence. (Coalition to Stop Gun Violence)
The rate of firearm deaths among kids under age 15 is almost 12 times higher in the United States than in 25 other industrialized countries combined. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
American kids are 16 times more likely to be murdered with a gun, 11 times more likely to commit suicide with a gun, and nine times more likely to die from a firearm accident than children in 25 other industrialized countries combined. (Centers for Disease Control)

http://www.neahin.org/programs/schoolsafety/gunsafety/statistics.htm#america

Do you suggest that CHILDREN carry guns?

[LuckyTheDog]

28. Wow

5 posts and already becoming abusive!

[sandnsea]

37. Not to mention

Guns provide a phony sense of security wherein the citizens don't think they need the rest of the amendments because all they need is a gun to prevent tyranny.

Yeah, they're really taking care of the tyranny in the white houes as we speak, aren't they. :eyes:

[tsuki]

2. They do the same thing with the Ten Commandments. I mean

they are consistent in their hypocrisy.

[Norquist Nemesis]

3. Not sure that they're defending the 2nd Amendment though

They're defending their interpretation of the 2nd Amendment.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.billofrights.html
Amendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.


One side reads it as in direct relation to a "well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state", the other side reads it as "the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed".

[LuckyTheDog]

5. What they really are protecting

Profits of the gun industry.

[BOSSHOG]

14. I can't believe there appears to be ambiguity in the amendment

I do however believe that many would push the ambiguity issue for their own agenda. I'll do that in the future. If I don't like an amendment, I'll just say it is ambiguous. I might have to join the NRA to lend weight to that claim.

The founding fathers clearly stated in the amendment that it is necessary (in the 18th century) that citizens be armed for the purpose of protecting the nation. We didn't have much of a department of defense at the time.

But the NRA and their supporters think the amendment means everyone should have as many guns and use them for whatever the fuck they want. If they choose to be ambiguous about an unambiguous 27 word sentence then I can be ambiguous about their so called patriotic intent. Or maybe I'm not.

[Monkeyman]

8. Ok People own Gun Fact Of Life

But tell me why in the hell they protect Weapons of War like AK's. They claim its for hunters. Before I went to Nam I hunted after well let just say I knew what it felt like to be hunted. Here is the point if you cannot bring down a deer or whatever with one shot. GET THE F OUT OF THE WOODS

[firebirdconv]

13. The 2nd has nothing to do with hunting

First, I apologize for the "stupid" comment.

Second, it is not about hunting. I for one abhor hunting. I do however enjoy shooting inanimate objects. As I said, however, it is a constitutional right, like the 1st and 4th. As you can see, a handgun, in this situation was the most effective anyway.

As I said, the intent and design of the 2nd was for The People to have the ability to protect themselves from whatever may cause them harm. Hell in this case, the right to carry could have solved this issue.

[Monkeyman]

16. The Right Wing will defend this until they die

Your Right our rights are be taken away but gun are here forever God Help Us

[Mojorabbit]

21. Well I am as liberal as they come

and I will defend my right to be armed. It pisses me off that this is seen as a right/left wing issue.

[Monkeyman]

24. Its the Right Wing who defends Weapons of War my point

Look I had to go out and get a small arms for myself after the wing nuts got my phone number and address off the net. I am trained and have been for a very long time. I too want the right to protect myself but not with M69 M16 ON FULL AK or any other heavy auto weapon. Its not needed

[firebirdconv]

30. Full Auto?

You realize these have already been banned in 1986 and the grandfathered ones are about $15 - 20K and rising?

I for one think the MG ban is a waste as well.

[firebirdconv]

36. Amen, Brother!

First and foremost, it is a constitutional right. Liberals thrive on upholding the Constitution on EVERY OTHER ISSUE but the 2nd. Funny, but I sometimes, almost, believe that if this one issue became resolved and agreed upon between Liberals and Conservatives, well, who knows....

In a sense, I see that many liberals, HATE gov't involvement in their lives, same as Conservatives.

[Mojorabbit]

39. That would be sister! :) n/t

[Norquist Nemesis]

26. First, Thank You

for apologizing on the 'stupid' comment. Even though it wasn't directed toward me, I just have a pet peeve about people coming into forums/boards like gangbusters within their first few postings. :)

Second, you're right about the hunting thing, IMO. Taken in context of the when the amendment was written, the great majority owned guns and/or rifles. It was survival in both the food and security sense. Personally, I don't think people put the 2nd into the context of when it was written when they profess a 'right' to own any type of firearm they choose. For instance, IMO the founding fathers would not have supported the people's "right" (as in the individual) to bear Gatling Guns.

And frankly, when I read the 2nd it's my thought that "the people's right" is written as a collective people in respect to militias, not the individual. The Constitution begins with reference to "the people" as a collective, not as individuals. I see the 2nd in the same way. Others disagree. :shrug:

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[mitchleary]

22. when you say "AK", what do you mean?

The true AK47 is full auto and is illegal for anyone without special ATF papers


The replica is a semi-auto version that functions like a hunting rifle, but is not as accurate.


Before throwing around gun misnomers, how about getting educated about guns, and maybe you will see inthe hands of responsible people, they are no big deal.

And keep in mind, if a peson is willing to commit a felony, they could not care less if the gun they acquire is legal or not.

[gatorboy]

9. Insecurity.

Guns are like their security blankets. It helps with their victim complex.

When the libruls try to take over the world, they'll be ready.

[ThomWV]

10. They believe (as do I) that one has to depend on oneself and one's own resources

That Government can not be trusted to protect any of us and that if threatened we need take care of ourselves. Do you trust your Government? Do you think that your Government will provide you with any sort of meaningful protection what so ever if you are assaulted and your life put in danger? If you do believe that then disarm yourself. I do not believe that and I do not believe that you or anyone else has any right to tell me that I can not defend myself from those who would do me harm.

[Marie26]

11. Just IMO

Republicans are republicans because they distrust & fear people who are different from them. The great evil "other" lurks around every corner; every Muslim might be a terrorist, every minority might be a criminal, every liberal is a terrorist sympathiser. In order to defeat the "other", they need to have their guns at the ready, & their wars at the ready. It's a philosophy of fear - which creates a need for authoritarian leaders & a need for "self-defense" against the projected threat. That's the heart of it.

[BlooInBloo]

12. Because they're authoritarians. Duh.

[yurbud]

15. Why do Christians ignore turn the other cheek and give all your crap to the poor?

They treat both documents the same way: find the parts that reinforce what they want to do anyway.

[mmonk]

17. Do the first and fourth have as much money as a lobby?

[WinkyDink]

25. Because they're thugs? Just a guess.

[billbuckhead]

29. Because most of them are neoCONS like Mao and Stalin

who believe all political power comes from the end of a gun barrel.

[Xenotime]

31. Three letters... N R A They fund all their campaigns

[Libby2]

32. Simple, it's the way they treat the 10 commandments too.

[leftofthedial]

33. they don't believe anything

they just do whatever is convenient and makes them more money

they use issues like this as wedges to manipulate the electorate

[warren pease]

38. Because most are hypocrites, many are stupid, and a few are making a mint -- the GOP triple play n/t