If you got your April issue of GUNS Magazine, you'll find two letters taking strong exception to this.It seems some object to my contention that the Constitution does not grant rights, and fear that pointing this secret out will give the antis an advantage--to the point that I'm suspected of being a "Trojan Horse."
As I wrote to my editor when he forwarded a copy of that particular email and I encouraged him to print it: "[H]ow can I possibly argue against 'clowns like this idiot'? Has he been talking to my kids?"
Anyway, you'll need to actually buy the magazine to see the letters in question--especially since that writer threatened to cancel his subscription if I ever write anything like that again, so they could probably use some help offsetting the loss. But all the regulars here are already doing that, right?
UPDATE: See the letters here.
I saw that last night when I got my copy. I immediately wrote a note to myself as a reminder to write the magazine in support of you. People need to understand where rights come from... and it is NOT from government or any piece of paper.
ReplyDeleteHere is what I wrote to Guns Magazine:
ReplyDelete"Trojan Horse" or Voice in the Wilderness?
I was dismayed when I read the letters from Michael Bobier and "NRA Bob" in the April issue. They don't like David Codrea's assertion that the Second Amendment does not create the right to keep and bear (own and carry) arms. David is right and they are dead wrong. Unfortunately, this is the kind of ignorance that gives the victim disarmament gangs their power. They need to understand that rights do not come from government nor from any piece of paper. The Bill of Rights is a list of things the government is prohibited from doing; it does not grant any rights. Again, for anyone who does not understand: The Second Amendment absolutely prohibits government from making any "law" regarding the manufacturing, ownership, or possession of any guns under any circumstances. It was written as an acknowledgement that the right to keep and bear arms is a natural right that exists simply because we are born human. If the Second Amendment created the right to keep and bear arms, then the repeal of the Second Amendment could eliminate that right. Obviously, that is absurd, although that is what the victim disarmament advocates want us to believe.
Kent McManigal
That's quite a good letter, Kent. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI had the same reaction as Kent.
ReplyDeleteI sent this to the editors:
I can't believe that some of my fellow gunowners are so ignorant of the Bill of Rights that they would so misconstrue Mr. Codrea's statements in his Feb 08 column "“Privileges” Watch".
The Bill of Rights is not a list of privileges grated to the citizenry by government fiat. It is a limit on the powers of government, an enumeration of natural rights.
We gunowners must be very clear that our right to keep and bear arms should never be considered a grant by government lest they decide to revoke that grant.
Rather the right to keep and bear arms is an inalienable natural right that is the birthright of all freemen.
Mr. Codrea is a tireless defender of such rights and should be thanked for his efforts.
Those two letters were well-meaning, but sadly indicitive of how ignorant our population has become. The second letter was signed 'Bob, a proud NRA member' which is a screaming indictment of the NRA's complicity.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note I also received in the mail today a package from the NRA and a package from GOA. The NRA package was a fluffy and useless survey (questions on the level of "Guns are good, yes or no?") they'll relate to our senators. The GOA package was three pre-populated postcards demanding that support for Michael Sullivan be withdrawn for the BATFE, pre addressed to both my senators and George W. Bush.
The NRA is as problematic as the Joyce Foundation, Brady Campaign, and the VPC.
To some people (like a company I used to work for) you are only a good as the last thing you did. Your record doesn't matter. Kind of like your kids:)
ReplyDeleteYou are quite correct David. Now if we can only get some other folks to wake up and learn that these are God-given rights, we might get somewhere.
Haven't seen an issue of GUNS in any newsstand since the late 80s. (Come to think of it, I haven't seen a newsstand since the late 80s.)
ReplyDeleteAnyway: subscribed!
Now who do I bitch at, 'ed@gunsmagazine.com'?
David, last Aug. I subscribed to "Guns" because of you and told them so then. I read what those idiots said and tho't the editor should have put them in their place. No wonder we have such problems. With gun owners like them who needs enemies? I'll send a letter to the editor tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteYou've got the email correct, tjh.
ReplyDeleteMy blood positively boiled when I turned to the Crossfire page of GUNS last night.
Submitted today via email -
Esteemed Editor:
It was with great dismay that I read the responses to “Privileges” by David Codrea from Bob (who proclaims himself “a proud NRA member”) and his cohort Michael Bobier. Their ignorance regarding the source of our precious and often infringed rights is shameful. Rights come from God – not from the Constitution. Overtly stating this no more makes Mr. Codrea suspect as a “Trojan Horse” than do any of the other countless arguments against gun control that make their way onto the pages of multiple gun magazines each and every month. Not only do these readers’ arguments hold no water, their shallow criticism of a stalwart in the movement to regain our gun rights is baseless and devoid of any fact or evidence whatsoever. They would do well to frequent Mr. Codrea’s blog, “The War on Guns.” (http://waronguns.blogspot.com) They would certainly learn a lot.
*****
And by the way, nice job on "Homegrown Terrorists," David.
Damn Skippy.
ReplyDeleteGod-granted; constitutionally acknowledged.
That's the way it is, and that's the way it ought to be.
Say the word David, I'll bitch slap the dummies.
ReplyDeleteOf course, someone will have to tell them it happened, because they certainly aren't smart enough to figure it out on their own. I think NRA to that one fellow must mean "Not Really Aware".
My April issue of "Guns" just arrived today. I went straight for the letters (which is unusual for me, to say the least). Those two knuckleheads are even more confused than I had thought.
ReplyDeleteThink we could talk them into switching sides? That's how they could do the most good for gun rights.
ReplyDeleteDear Trojan Horse'
Could this have been the commenters attempt at humor or are they showing their top of the class public school bona fides?
These "guys" could have a future with the NRA.
I think I'll stick with that which is a Natural Right given by G-D to ALL MEN and transcribed by those smarter than (insert public official) and thank G-D I was born in the U.S
Fight islam Now