DrafterX
14 years ago
Subject: Gun Owners & Non-Gun Owners
Is it possible that a Yankee came up with a good idea? Vermont State Rep. Fred Maslack has read the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, as well as Vermont's own Constitution very carefully, and his strict interpretation of these documents is popping some eyeballs in New England and elsewhere. Maslack recently proposed a bill to register "non-gun-owners"and require them to pay a $500 fee to the state. Thus Vermont would become the first state to require a permit for the luxury of going about unarmed and assess a fee of $500 for the privilege of not owning a gun. Maslack read the "militia" phrase of the Second Amendment as not only the right of the individual citizen to bear arms, but as a clear mandate to do so. He believes that universal gun ownership was advocated by the Framers of the Constitution as an antidote to a "monopoly of force" by the government as well as criminals. Vermont's constitution states explicitly that "the people have a right to bear arms for the defense of themselves and the State" and those persons who are "conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms" shall be required to "pay such equivalent.." Clearly, says Maslack, Vermonters have a constitutional obligation to arm themselves, so that they are capable of responding to "any situation that may arise." Under the bill, adults who choose not to own a firearm would be required to register their name, address, Social Security Number, and driver's license number with the state. "There is a legitimate government interest in knowing who is not prepared to defend the state should they be asked to do so," Maslack says. Vermont already boasts a high rate of gun ownership along with the least restrictive laws of any state .... it's currently the only state that allows a citizen to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. This combination of plenty of guns and few laws regulating them has resulted in a crime rate that is the third lowest in the nation. "America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." This makes sense! There is no reason why gun owners should have to pay taxes to support police protection for people not wanting to own guns. Let them contribute their fair share and pay their own way. Sounds reasonable to me! Non-gun owners require more police to protect them and this fee should go to paying for their defense!


Film at 11.... [mellow]
fishinguitarman
14 years ago
Vermont already boasts a high rate of gun ownership along with the least restrictive laws of any state .... it's currently the only state that allows a citizen to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. This combination of plenty of guns and few laws regulating them has resulted in a crime rate that is the third lowest in the nation.




Nuff said
TMCTLT
14 years ago

Vermont already boasts a high rate of gun ownership along with the least restrictive laws of any state .... it's currently the only state that allows a citizen to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. This combination of plenty of guns and few laws regulating them has resulted in a crime rate that is the third lowest in the nation.




Nuff said

fishinguitarman wrote:





William, thanks for posting this, here in IN. State senator Richard Lugar has voted the last two times for gun control. Well this election cycle he is going to be challenged by another republican by the name of Richard Murdock who is a staunch supporter of gun rights. I hope Lugar will finally be saying goodbye to the career he's made of politics!!!
rfenst
14 years ago
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."


With sole respect to the U.S Constitution, you have to just laugh at the idiot's "strict interpretation" that the Second Amendment requires gun ownership.

If gun ownership was intended to be mandatory, wouldn't the Second Amendment have simply been written to state so? How the hell can anyone in their right mind interpret the word "militia" to mandate ownership, particularly when the Second Amendment uses the word "right", not "shall" or "must".

Anyone who disagrees with me on this will need to show me, perhaps from the Federalist Papers and the like that the Framers' intendedour gun right to be "mandatory". In the alternative, a U.S. Supreme Court case that not only says so, but also requires such a contorted definition, will do.

What a joke with respect to the Second Amendment.
DrafterX
14 years ago
yes, it is a bit of a stretch Robert... I think it was intended to be though... 🤔
HockeyDad
14 years ago
I'm guessing that Vermont State Rep. Fred Maslack is a lawyer. They can interpret a rainy day out of pure sunshine!
DrMaddVibe
14 years ago
Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms. - James Madison, The Federalist Papers
DrMaddVibe
14 years ago
Perhaps if people actually READ the Federalist Papers...or even grabbed a primer on the subject as well as the Constitution these kinda questions would be moot.

Then again our Founding Fathers didn't have to PROVE something that wasn't there. We can thank the legal "reads" into the "interpretation" of these documents to muddy the waters.

Really...if people devoted as much time to grasping this as they do...Dancing With The Stars or American Idol...we MIGHT be able to get the republic back on track!
DrafterX
14 years ago
🤔
I'd move to Vermont if they would issue everyone M16's.... 😟



well, maybe just long enough to get one... 😟
DrMaddVibe
14 years ago
The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed." - Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist Papers


M16...M17...whatever it takes.[frypan]
dubleuhb
14 years ago
I see this as a win win, as long as they buy an American made firearm.
rfenst
14 years ago

I'm guessing that Vermont State Rep. Fred Maslack is a lawyer. They can interpret a rainy day out of pure sunshine!

HockeyDad wrote:



Nah. Scalia is the only one skilled enough to be able to do that.
elk hunter
14 years ago

:-k
I'd move to Vermont if they would issue everyone M16's.... 😟



well, maybe just long enough to get one... 😟

DrafterX wrote:



Just get licensed and go buy one...
DrafterX
14 years ago

Just get licensed and go buy one...

elk hunter wrote:





ya,,, prolly cheaper than moving to Vermont.... 😟

maybe next year... already bought my toy this year... 😁
DadZilla3
14 years ago
It's not as though they're planning to fine someone for not having health insurance or something absurd like that...
Mathen
14 years ago


M16...M17...whatever it takes.

DrMaddVibe wrote:



You make the best pop culture references of anyone on this board. I can't tell you how many times I've said "220, 221... whatever it takes" and been met with blank stares.
DrMaddVibe
14 years ago

You make the best pop culture references of anyone on this board. I can't tell you how many times I've said "220, 221... whatever it takes" and been met with blank stares.

Mathen wrote:




Yeah, I get accused by many for "posting others words as your original thoughts"...most are completely ignorant to the fact that I'm using movie references...music lyrics...or complete sarcasm to get a point across.

Mr.Mom is a movie that's aged wonderfully...in the face of the recession I'm surprised that Hollywood hasn't thought of remaking this!

I hope they don't but you know they can't help themselves.

It's like watching two trains getting ready to collide...you have to watch.[whip]
mtbat21
14 years ago

Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms. - James Madison, The Federalist Papers

DrMaddVibe wrote:


Now these are papers that should be required reading!=d>
DrMaddVibe
14 years ago
You'd THINK!

This is what the framers used as a sales pitch to the colonies!
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