Since the very beginning of this country, personal freedom has been extremely important to us. After we defeated the British, our founding fathers wanted to make sure that the United States and the people of the United States remained free. As our young nation grew, it became less and less free. And this truth is a tragic one.
By far, the last decade has had the most rapid deterioration of our freedoms. After 9/11, the government went into a freedom feeding frenzy in which our privacy and other rights were destroyed. Once our liberties have been taken away, it’s nearly impossible to regain them. As John Adams said:
“But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.”
Adams wanted to make it clear that once you’ve given up your liberty, its lost forever. If Americans thought about that simple truth, we’d vote more carefully. For example, the Federal Assault Weapons Ban which was in effect from 1994 to 2004. Had the ban not included a “sunset” like it did, we would still have the ban in place. I think most legislation should have a sunset like the Weapons Ban. More importantly than an expiration date, legislation should be balanced, well thought out, and increase freedom; not decrease.
Some may think that because of what I’m saying, I think people should be able to run around the country and do whatever they want and have a lawless nation. That couldn’t be further from the truth. If people were allowed to run around lawlessly, the freedom of others would be trampled by them. That’s exactly why I think we still need police, fire, ems, and a judicial system. In that way, the government would still exist, but to protect us.
And protection of it’s citizens is–or should be–the main objective of any government. Many people will say that governments pass laws to protect us. That is absolutely not true. Legislation cannot keep people from hurting others, it can’t keep you from being murdered or robbed, or rapped. Anyone that says more legislation protects you needs to be mentally evaluated.
If there’s one value that sums up the way America was built, it’s that the majority’s desires don’t outweigh the individual’s right. When something bad happens in this country like a mass shooting, there are immediately calls for more laws, bans, and buybacks. These responses are so intellectually flawed that it’s really sad that we even need to debate this.
One of the most idiotic things I’ve ever heard of is gun-free zones. Gun-free zones are another emotional, knee-jerk reaction to a devastating problem. But how does anyone expect a criminal, or soon-to-be criminal, to obey a sign posted on a door? Someone who wants to cause harm to another isn’t going to abide rules posted on a sign. In fact, gun-free zones encourage the said criminal because he knows or has a pretty good guess that no one on the premises is armed, besides him.
So by passing laws in this way, the community becomes less safe. The law-abiding citizens’ right to carry is taken away while the criminal will still carry a gun.
(The author is not affiliated with any organization or political party) If you’re interested in Libertarianism, I suggest you check out lp.org for more information on the Libertarian Party.
The views mentioned above do not reflect the views of Oatboat.com. They are the opinions of the author.