Monday, May 07, 2012

The Essence of a Free Society

“There is a right under the Constitution, under the Second Amendment, to have guns for self-defense and for family protection and presumably for hunting, but reasonable regulations of such guns are the essence of a free society.”  [More]
After all, who are the Founders to argue with Alan Dershowitz?


[Via Jess]

4 comments:

1NCCCH said...

I have the right as a free man to defend myself any place I have a lawful right to be. It is my moral responsibility, when the opportunity arises, to both eliminate the immediate threat to myself and others, and the future threat posed to the general public by an armed criminal. Armed self-defense can reduce crime, at a minimum, one dead perp at a time.

Crotalus (Don't Tread on Me) said...

Who decides what's "reasonable", Mr. Dershowitz? You? I very likely would disagree with you.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Dershowitz about the Travon Martin affair. We cannot afford to have our justice system swayed by public demonstrations. The real irony in this is that - if history is any indicator - blacks (and other minorities) are the ones MOST likely to suffer from mob rule.

Where Dershowitz and I diverge is over gun control - naturally. Additionally, his "example" is rather specious. I don't know of anyone who wouldn't try to drive away rather than shoot someone. I know that if I was on a jury hearing a case like that I would consider the person who shot rather than at best stupid and possibly criminally liable even WITH "stand your ground" laws. Who would risk being sued into penury when they could have simple driven away?

Plug Nickel Outfit said...

"...but reasonable regulations of such guns are the essence of a free society."

Based on the man's words - or his usage of them - he's either a fool or a liar - perhaps both. The Devil - as usual - is in the details - but his notion of a "free society" and its relationship to "reasonable regulation" do not co-incide with mine. If words are to have no meaning - why even bother...?

In truth - I suspect he just tacked on the phrase "free society" 'cause it sounded good. I doubt he even has a clue as to what that might actually involve.