Discussions with an anti-gun person

For some time now, my wife has been in internet discussions with an Australian woman who believes no one other than police and military should have a firearm. The woman said a constitutional right to own a gun is not necessary for a modern country.

That is true. The listing of basic rights is not necessary. Unless you want to keep your freedom. Most countries of the world list rights in an off-handed way, “Oh, by the way, here are some things that we, the government, allow you to have.” And the unstated: “We, the government, having given you those rights, may take them away at any time.”

The U.S. Constitution does not work that way. The Bill of Rights lists things the government may not interfere with. All humans have God-given rights to speak as he or she sees fit, to worship, to write, to be safe in homes free of government intrusion and to possess the means of defense against criminals, foreign armies and their own government, should the government become or threaten to become, tyrannical.

Our government is not like any other. The American people are not like any others.

So why do other people insist we become like them?

The reason for an armed citizenry has been well-stated before.

“Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed, as they are in almost every country in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops.”

– Noah Webster, An Examination of the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution, October 10, 1787