The fight to maintain gun rights is as old as America itself

Citizen journalist and gun rights activist Mike Vanderboegh spoke Saturday at a rally in Connecticut, urging defiance of new gun control laws there and elsewhere:

Yet despite the cost, these unconstitutional laws MUST be resisted. For if not now, when? And if not us, who? This is no longer a "slippery slope" leading to firearm registration and eventual confiscation -- it is a precipice that some states have already plunged over and that the federal government threatens to follow. Arrests are happening NOW. When, if not now, shall we resist? Will we allow ourselves to be shoved back once again, from the free exercise of our God-given, natural and inalienable rights to liberty? -- Shoved back once more, muttering but compliant?

Vanderboegh's comments remind me of another's:

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?

Most folks remember at least part of Patrick Henry's Liberty or Death speech as he railed against the British in 1775. But how many realize Henry later articulated fears of Congress implementing gun control and tyranny under a U.S. Constitution?

Your militia is given up to Congress, also, in another part of this plan; they will therefore act as they think proper; all power will be in their own possession. You can not force them to receive their punishment: of what service would militia be to you, when, most probably, you will not have a single musket in the State? For, as arms are to be provided by Congress, they may or may not furnish them.

In 1789, a year after the second speech, Congress passed a series of amendments to the Constitution and sent them to the states for ratification. I suspect these amendments, including the Second Amendment, were added to allay the fears of men like Henry (who was very perceptive to anticipate the kind of so-called leaders we have today).

Ten amendments were ratified as the Bill of Rights two years later in 1791. Be very careful not to surrender any of the rights included wherein. The words were intentional, and put in place by men of great foresight.