Big Bubba the Misanthropundit

The webtale below found its way to my e-mail inbox this morning.  It is a heartwarming story (almost true story) for those of us who believe in the Constitution and our Constitutional right to keep and bear arms.

Please listen to Vermont on gun ownership

A really great analysis of the webtale below by Frank Sousa, dated February 20, 2010, 2:05PM

I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations. “James Madison” 

Vermont’s Answer to Gun Control 

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.

My comments:  The pseudo intellectual progressive liberals believe that they know better than the Constitution.  They certainly do not know how deeply rooted in our collective DNA is the militia and bearing of arms.  Sousa’s article refers vaguely to Nordic militia.  He was very close.

The Assize of 1181 required all English Freemen to maintain appropriate arms.  Going even further back in time the Anglo Saxon’s required Freemen to maintain their arms for service in the fyrd, the Anglo Saxon militia.  The Danelaw also required Freemen to keep themselves armed for service.

The Northumbrians (Danelaw region), in 1065, chased Earl Tostig out because they accused him of rapacity, tyranny, and cruelty of his behavior.  When Earl Harold tried to negotiate the return of his brother, Earl Tostig, the Northumbrians refused.  They informed Earl Harold, “We were born free men and were brought up in freedom; a proud chief to us unbearable—for we have learned from our ancestors to live free or die.”  Earl Harold, pressured by the king, relented and installed Earl Morcar in Northumbria.

You know “live free or die” had to come from somewhere.  Now you know where.  It is the heritage of our Nordic ancestors of one thousand years ago.