‘Guns are not violent ... people are’
In response to the letter that appeared in your March 1 editorial column written by James Morley, I am writing this letter. I do not affiliate with any political party. I am fiscally conservative and socially liberal. My marksmanship or whether I own guns is irrelevant. I do not believe any political party condones a mad person using guns (or any means) for violence. Guns are not violent ... people are.
The reference Mr. Morley made to “the gun violence currently plaguing us” is a political spin. Most Americans believe in the entire Constitution and all of its Amendments. This does not mean they are “politically extreme fringe,” as asserted by Mr. Morley. Below are some bullet points (pun intended) that I would like to express using my God-given right to free speech.
• As stated in Mr. Morley’s letter, a “well regulated” gun control system might not allow a self described “good marksman” to own a rifle. If an arbitrary system such as the one Mr. Morley suggests were put in place, it just may require excellent marksmanship ... be prepared to give up your rifle.
• An animal rights activist would argue that no hunter is “conscientious,” as Mr. Morley described himself. We all must learn to support all civil liberties, not just the ones you believe in. That is true freedom! Be prepared to give up your right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Be prepared to give up your freedom.
• Government does not give us our inalienable rights, God does. You would not have free speech, a fair trial or voting rights if guns had not been used against a tyrannical king. If you believe your rights come from government you must prepare to give up the complete Bill of Rights, not just the ones you believe in.
• I have never heard of a gun killing anyone. People kill people by all sorts of means. What killed Abel? A rock? A stick? The answer would be Cain.
• Using Mr. Morley’s logic, free speech is a privilege and should only be for those educated, trained and licensed to express opinion. Otherwise, in Mr. Morley’s words, an “incompetent nincompoop” would be allowed to write letters to the local newspaper editor for print as their opinion. Be prepared to give up your right to free speech.
• Perhaps Mr. Morley could go to the local library and look up M.K. Gandhi’s “The Doctrine of The Sword.” My favorite line is: I do believe that, where there is only a choice between cowardice and violence, I would advise violence. To not take arms against a tyrannical government would be cowardice not Treason. Read the Second Amendment. It is to protect us from tyranny. While at the library, Mr. Morley should also look up the definition of treason. If we as free citizens take arms against the government it would be because our freedoms have been betrayed.
• Mr. Morley wrote that the NRA hides behind “hypocritical veneer.” Did he read his letter before he sent it to the editor? Are his guns stored in a locker with the police? Is he prepared to show his papers? The NRA is a cult? He doubts the Warwick Town Council’s competency . . . he questions Annie Rabbitt’s integrity . . . Mr. Morley’s entire letter is hypocritical.
In conclusion, kudos to Warwick’s Town Council and the hundreds across the state that did the same thing. Thank God for the brave men and women who bear arms in defense of our freedoms. It’s those brave men and women that allow us to have the freedom to write our editors without fear. God bless America.
Michael P. Farruggia
Chester