From our friends at Aegis Academy
Celebrating the Fourth of July and Gun Control
As the Fourth of July approaches, many of us are preparing to celebrate this occasion with family barbeques, neighborhood parades, impressive concerts and colorful firework displays. I have to admit, it is one of my favorite holidays. No fanfare of gifts, it is simply a day in which we celebrate as a nation, as communities, and as Americans and place aside any difference to remember the strength we possess in our unity.
On this day, we remember how our founding fathers worked to secure a free nation that represents the people, for the people, by the people. A nation guided by republican ideals, which valued liberty and unalienable individual rights, while rejecting inherited political power as symbolized by a corrupt ruling class, which at the founder’s time was the British monarchy. Simply stated, the Founders rejected a form of government in which citizens were governed without direct representation and guaranteed rights. Instead, civic duties were placed ahead of personal desires and duties to prepare and willingly fight for their countrymen and countrywomen’s rights and liberties. The very thing that energized patriots to mount a battle against the imposing forces of Great Britain, was the commitment of most Americans to republican values and rights. Without this belief and ability to defend those values, our nation would not exist.
Presently we face many of the issues that test the very idea on which our great nation was founded and find ourselves fighting similar battles to those that sparked our fight for independence from Great Britain. Many of our unalienable rights are under fire and face the threat of being taken away or drastically controlled. Currently our right to bear arms, to protect ourselves and our countrymen has come under continued pressure. The Gun Control battle has been in the news with great passion the last couple of weeks with another mass shootings.
The popular consensus is that increased gun regulation and control will make the citizen safer, that government should maintain a monopoly on the use of force, and that the subject�� sorry citizen, should depend on the benevolent protection of the collection. I know this point is a bit dramatic, but when you scratch at the pro-gun control crowd’s logic and rationale, their points begins to seem foreign and ill-logical. One only has to look at the absurdity of “safe” spaces, where the law prohibits law abiding and responsible citizens to carry firearms for personal and collective protection, then expect criminals, or outlaws, to respect the same laws and therefore chose not to enter a “safe” space with ill intent, does anyone else see a problem. How do these laws reduce the threat to the general law abiding public?
It does not take a deep analysis, to surmise that no amount of rules or laws can completely control or eliminate all threats, as is evident by the recent tragedy in Orlando. All laws and regulations were followed, the individual legally purchased the firearm after he was investigated not once, but twice and deemed not a threat, yet 49 people perished. The answer lies in each of us to do our civic duty and be prepared citizens, able to protect our way of life from individuals and government entities that threaten our rights.
Ultimately, it is not a question of whether criminals or those intending to do harm should be kept from obtaining weapons upon which to inflict unthinkable harm, it is a question of should law abiding citizens have the right to stand and protect themselves as well as their communities.
As you enjoy our nation’s celebration, take some time to reflect upon what this nations was founded on, what energized our Founding Fathers and what values you hold true.
Have a great week and stay safe!
Monika Fletcher
From our friends at Aegis Academy
