NORMAN — Editor, The Transcript:
Americans have guns because they want ‘em.
Norman is fortunate to have representatives of the far reaches of the political bell curve ready and eager to present their views. On the far left, we have the always entertaining Larry Steele, and on the far right, my old curmudgeon self. It’s the only fun we have. Mr. Steele’s recent letters on gun control have been read by in his missive of march 10, he regrettably lapsed into the liberal habit of manufacturing his own facts.
Yes, the Second Amendment begins “A well regulated militia...” OK, so how exactly does that call for regulation of guns? It says no such thing. The U.S. constitution is silent on the subject except for saying that it shall not happen. But who cares what the constitution says, and, speaking of regulation, Mr. Steele falls into another bad liberal habit—not reading up on stuff. Even in ivory towers, facts are facts. “Automatic weapons” and “machine guns” are the same thing, are not banned, and never have been. Neither have “hand grenades, mortars, RPG’s and artillery.” These are called NFA weapons after the National Firearms Act of 1934. Even the FDR busy bodies hadn’t the temerity to push the Second Amendment too far. Instead they taxed and regulated these weapons into a harried existence. Thousands of collectors and hobbyists do own legal (and extremely expensive) machine guns and they never shoot anybody. My point, other than having some fun out of liberal ignorance? Regulation and taxation are better than bans, but not much. But I digress.
A letter to The Oklahoman a few days ago stole my thunder somewhat, but something fundamental is at stake in all this gun talk. We’re told that we don’t need assault rifles, high cap magazines, etc. We’re also told that no other country allows so many guns, ignoring Switzerland, of course, which issues full automatic weapons to all able bodied, to keep in their homes in case of national emergency. Here’s the thing. America isn’t about needs! America is about wants! In this, America is unique. Our needs were being met as part of the British empire, but not our wants. People gave their lives for the freedom to get what they wanted, when they wanted it, whether they needed it or not, and now that freedom is bleeding away every day. Busybody Democrats want to take our guns and sugary drinks away and nanny Republicans want to take our cigarettes and abortions. What’s next?
P.S.: As of today, Mr. Steele still has the right to say anything he wants to, and he has been threatened for doing so. This is wrong. We don’t protect our freedoms by threatening someone else’s freedom!
C. R. Holt
Norman
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