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The Right to Self-Defense

Mike Straw

The Founders of the united States, the moneyed, privileged elite of the era, put, not their own interests first, as greedy politicians have done since, but rather, in sacrifice, put their new nation, and the liberty of its lowliest inhabitants, first.

Practical men all, with understanding of the historic philosophers and with recent bitter experience in the expectations of their fellows, they nonetheless put above all else what Jefferson termed in our magnificent Declaration of Independence: " ‘Governments’ are instituted among Men, deriving their just ‘Powers’ from the Consent of the Governed," to "SECURE" Mankind's "inalienable Rights” including "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness," and that "whenever any Form of ‘Government’ becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new ‘Government,’ laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its ‘Powers’ in such Form, as to them shall seem most  likely to effect their Safety and Happiness," specific terms not included merely for dramatic flourish, but rater as statements of practical intent.

That framework freed talented human beings to become productive busy bees, to worship or not worship the God of their choice (if any), to keep the fruits of their labor, and to not have to worry about the proverbial knock on the door… and what awaits them when the door is opened… or broken down.

These inalienable rights survive the formation of society and the creation of “government.”  Any person or group who would in any manner whatsoever infringe your God-given, Constitutionally-guaranteed right to life by means of immediate defense, keeping and daily bearing arms in public, isn’t a lover of your life, or those of your precious family.

They evidence no reverence for those lives, nor are they even mere respecters of those lives.  No, in fact, they demonstrate an utter malicious abhorrence and insidious contempt of those lives by their absolute refusal to fervently nurture them.

Throughout their voluminous writings, every Founder’s philosophy can be proved to be in line with that pervading desire, converted from mere prose into law.

The right to life of necessity implies that the individual has the inherent right, not privilege, to immediately protect that life through whatever means necessary.

“The right to be armed is the security without which every other is insufficient.” -Thomas Babington Macauley

“To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.” -Richard Henry Lee

“A strong body makes a strong mind. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball and others of that nature are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks.” -Thomas Jefferson

“Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion… in private self defense.” -John Adams

“To disarm the people is the best and most effective way to enslave them.” -George Mason

“The people are not to be disarmed of their weapons. They are left in full possession of them.” -Zachariah Johnston

“Now the natural right of self-defense is nothing more than the liberty which the law of nature allows us of defending ourselves from an attack which is made upon our persons or of taking such measures as may guard against any injuries we are likely to suffer from another…” -Henry St. George Tucker

“The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves from tyranny in government.” -Thomas Jefferson

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