The following is the platform of the American Rights Party
As proponents of the Bill of Rights, we support the Second Amendment, with restrictions. The founding fathers could not possibly have foreseen the types of arms now available when they offered up this already limited right( virtually no gun owner is in a sanctioned militia). Therefore, we support the outright ban on assault/automatic weapons and ammunition since their only purpose is in the taking of human life. No sportsman uses and automatic weapon to hunt deer. There is no other application for these types of weapons.
We are not naive, and we understand that banning assault/automatic weapons will not eliminate them. To that end, the elimination of the ammunition used in these weapons ultimately renders them useless. Also, since a large number of these weapons are obtained by people engaged in criminal activity, possession and use of them must carry stiffer penalties than are currently in place. Gun possession is not gun ownership.
Here is the position of the Libertarian Party from item 1.6 of their platform
The only legitimate use of force is in defense of individual rights-life, liberty, and justly acquired property-against aggression. This right inheres to the individual, who may agree to be aided by any other individual or group. We affirm the right to keep and bear arms, and oppose the prosecution of individuals for exercising their rights of self-defense. We oppose all laws at any level of government requiring registration of, or restricting, the ownership, manufacture, or sale of firearms or ammunition.
It seems fairly apparent that while we may agree that the Second Amendment must be respected, we most certainly disagree on its implementation. At the beginning of our platform we state, "We believe in individual freedoms and individual responsibility." And while there was no specific mention of licensing, registration, or restrictions in our platform we believe that responsible gun owners would have no objection to at least some controls.
For example, we might not require background checks to own firearms but instead show proof of the completion of a firearm safety and education program. The most dangerous gun user is the untrained one, and usually is responsible for innocent lives being taken. We have had unrestricted gun ownership in our history, and we didn't fare so well then.
The most troubling part of the Libertarian platform though is the idea that the legitimate use of force for the protection of one's life, liberty, and property may also include the assistance from another person or group. They also say the "justly acquired property," but that definition is too broad. Gangs identify and protect their "turf" and can justify it as "justly acquired" since it is the area in which they reside, pay rent, shop, sell drugs, etc. It is justly acquired by proximity. Do we not already see these people engaged in protection of their own life, liberty, and property from rival gangs and the police?
And isn't it apparent that the weapons of choice in these battles are assault/automatic guns? The gun lobby would have us believe that escalating the number of weapons by being able to arm their members with similar weapons levels the playing field. Our position is that it just makes it bloodier, and too many uninvolved and innocent people get caught in the crossfire and injured, maimed, or killed. Banning these types of weapons is the first step. Eradicating the bullets is the second. Let them be used to club one another over the head. At least then only the intended target gets hurt.
In direct contrast to the Libertarians, our support of the Second Amendment cannot come without safeguards to ensure that the ownership of firearms is responsible, controlled, and restricted.
No comments:
Post a Comment