| The Right to bear Arms |
One of the most fundamental rights of man is the ability to defend his family and his home. The 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution formally reinforces this freedom when it states, “the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” I believe that this right is the cornerstone of our government. Without it citizens would become wards of the state, utterly dependent on the state for protection. Criminals would still have guns and law-abiding citizens would become easy targets. Thugs certainly would rather invade a household that is unarmed and defenseless than one that they know can fight back. Our nation’s founding fathers also instinctively realized another reason that an armed citizenry is vital to a democracy. They designed our government with a series of checks and balances three branches of government and strong state governments (although the power of individual states has been steadily encroached upon). One of the strongest checks to unlimited big government intrusion on personal liberty is the right to bear arms. Thomas Jefferson said “The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms, is a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.” George Washington was quoted as saying “Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance. They are the peoples’ liberty’s teeth.” Benjamin Franklin also reinforced the importance of firearms when he said, “Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.” In the absence of an armed populace an elected government can institute communism, socialism, or fascism at their whim. They could conceivably cancel future elections to stay in power, seize property, or outlaw the worship of God. Without guns government has unlimited power. Sadly rumblings of a gun and/or ammunition ban are being heard. This is even more disturbing when even an average Constitutional historian could tell you that this is illegal. This is not a time to have a “political party puppet” as governor of our state. A strong independent governor could firmly establish the rights our state was intended by the Constitution to have. As governor I would not allow the enforcement of a gun or ammunition ban in Tennessee. The people of our state will not lose their right to have a firearm under my watch.
Brandon Dodds
Back"This is not a time to have a 'political party puppet' as governor of our state"
Brandon Dodds