Comment Re:Defense against tyranny, and simply self-defens (Score 1) 404
As A free man, I should never have to justify my choices for self-defense. My exercising of that right hurts no one.
As a member of a community you always have to justify your choices of self-defense. That is done through the justice system. If you don't wish to follow the rules established by a community everyone is free to leave it. Good luck finding somewhere to move to though.
Are you arguing that free people do not have the right to self-defense and choosing the tools that allow the people to exercise that right?
Self-defense is a natural-born right. As a human being I have the right to defend myself and my loved ones. I don't have to ask you or society for that permission.
Again as a member of a community you are subject to the rules of that community. In our country there are ample allowances for people to defend themselves when attacked but there are also restrictions on the level of force allowed. If someone flicks you in the ear you cannot shoot them in the head even though they "attacked" you. You have the "right" to do this but it is not protected by the government.
That is ONE of the basic tenets of our government's founding documents. The second amendment PROTECTS the right of individuals to bear arms for self-defense, it does not GRANT that right.
Please read the second amendment again. It says "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." This has nothing to do with self-defense. It has everything to do with maintaining a regulated Militia. Yes, an amendment protects the right from prosecution from the government, no disagreement there.
Your view is one where governments grant rights - that is a wrong-headed view. Governments do not grant the "right" of self-defense" any more than they grant the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". Our government is structured such that it protects natural-born rights, it does not "grant" them.
I never said anything about the government granting rights. It does however specify which rights it feels is important to protect in its own best interest and the best interest of all its citizens. Our government protects SOME natural born rights. You have the right to walk around killing people, the government does not protect this "Natural born right". And for good reason, if this was allowed a society couldn't operate.
In the end people have the "right" to live as they please, however this is subject to the laws of the land. If people have issue with the laws that govern their society they have options, they can move to change those laws through the democratic process and allow the masses to decide through our representatives what makes sense or they can leave and find somewhere that better fits their world view. And if you feel that this country is too controlling of the rights that are important to you there are some places in Africa where the government has no power to stop you from doing anything, this comes with some downsides though because it doesn't stop anyone else either.