From the Mailbag

I copied this directly from the email. I did not verify it. I like the message, even if it's not technically "true".

Particularly the last two paragraphs!

wtp

Vermont State Rep. Fred Maslack has read the Second Amendment to the U.S.Constitution, as well as Vermont's own Constitution very carefully, and his strict interpretation of these documents is popping some eyeballs in New England and elsewhere.

Maslack recently proposed a bill to register "non-gun-owners" and require them to pay a $500 fee to the state. Thus Vermont would become the first state to require a permit for the luxury of going about unarmed and assess a fee of $500 for the privilege of not owning a gun.

Maslack read the "militia" phrase of the Second Amendment as not only affirming the right of the individual citizen to bear arms, but as a clear mandate to do so. He believes that universal gun ownership was advocated by the Framers of the Constitution as an antidote to a "monopoly of force" by the government as well as criminals. Vermont's constitution states explicitly that "the people have a right to bear arms for the defense of themselves and the State" and those persons who are "conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms" shall be required to "pay such equivalent." Clearly, says Maslack, Vermonters have a constitutional obligation to arm themselves, so that they are capable of responding to "any situation that may arise."

Under the bill, adults who choose not to own a firearm would be required to register their name, address, Social Security Number, and driver's license number with the state. "There is a legitimate government interest in knowing who is not prepared to defend the state should they be asked to do so," Maslack says Vermont already boasts a high rate of gun ownership along with the least restrictive laws of any state .. it's currently the only state that allows a citizen to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. This combination of plenty of guns and few laws regulating them has resulted in a crime rate that is the third lowest in the nation.

"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards."

This makes sense! There is no reason why gun owners should have to pay taxes to support police protection for people not wanting to own guns. Let them contribute their fair share and pay their own way.

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness?

The New York Times, New York City, New York 08/14/09


American Rifleman Issue: 8/17/2009

  In broad daylight, four men, one armed with a 9-millimeter pistol, entered the Kaplan Brothers Blue Flame Corporation kitchen supply store in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. Once inside the criminals attempted to handcuff two store employees, and the owner of the store, 72-year-old Charles Augusto Jr. As one of the men was handcuffing an employee, the employee resisted, resulting in the criminal pistol-whipping the employee in the head. After witnessing the criminal’s brutality, Augusto retrieved his 12- gauge shotgun and fired at the robbers. The first round struck and killed the robber armed with the pistol. A second and third shot wounded the other three criminals, one of whom made his way across the street before collapsing and dying before he could reach the hospital. The two other wounded robbers were picked up by police and taken to a local hospital where they are in stable condition. This was not the first time that Augusto’s store has been the target of robbers, a robbery thirty years ago is what prompted him to arm himself. Local residents were supportive of Augusto’s actions, with one stating, “You have to protect your workers and your family. Case closed.” Unfortunately, Augusto may be punished for protecting himself and his employees. New York City’s draconian gun laws require a permit to possess a shotgun, and police are mulling the possibility of charging Augusto with a misdemeanor for failing to obtain one.