The American Legion position on the Second Amendment

Gregg----Don't know weather you have given it much thought BUT, in 1776, a Brown Bess Musket, WAS an Assault Rifle, and Sabres were Weapons of Mass Destruction. Apples to Apples. as for the Present time, the NEED for high capacity magazines can be debated forever, but in 1986, in Miami,Fla., 2 criminals, were confronted by FBI agents and Local authorities. As a Result, 2 FBI agents were Killed and other Officers were Wounded. It took 4 or 5 rounds to stop One of the criminals and TWELVE rounds, to stop the other ONE. These DIRECT shots were delivered by TRAINED, SKILLED, Local and Federal Officers, and STILL, it took TWELVE shots to stop JUST ONE MAN. Autopsy reports showed that NEITHER criminal was Drunk OR on Dope and neither was wearing Body Armor. SO MUCH for NEED. IF we Ever LOSE our Constutitional Rights, We'll NEVER get them back. I fully support the Legion, of which I am a Proud Member, as well as the NRA in their efforts to see that America Remains the Land Off The FREE. We dont NEED new Laws. Enforce the ones we have.

At the time the Second Amendment was written, civilians possessed essentially the same small arms as the most powerful military in the world (England). There was also private ownership of artillery pieces, again, of the same quality as the English military. A strict interpretation of the Second Amendment might allow private ownership of virtually any weapon in the government's inventory. What is currently allowed to civilians, even in small arms, is quite inferior to what the government has.

Greg Brooks doesn't think I "need" an "assault weapon" or a high-capacity magazine. I have a semi-automatic rifle (1 shot per trigger pull, the same as my revolver) with an adjustable stock and a bayonet mount. That makes it an "assault weapon." How silly! Limit the capacity of magazines I'm "allowed" to have, and I'll carry more magazines. I can swap magazines in about 1.3 seconds, and I'm not the fastest guy on the block.

Definitions of "assault weapon" aside, I have a RIGHT to my weapon of choice. Who is he to tell me what I "need?" I don't think he "needs" a car any bigger than a 4-cylinder Ford Focus to go to and from work. But it's his RIGHT to have the type of car he wants and can afford.

All these proposed restrictions do is hinder law-abiding citizens. Criminals, by definition, do not obey the law.

THE SECOND AMENDMENT WASNT WRITTEN SO THAT I COULD PROTECT MYSELF FROM YOU, YA DIP, IT WAS SO I COULD PROTECT MYSELF FROM THE GOVERNMENT!!!!!! DO YA THINK THE GOVERNMENT WILL TROW AWAY THEIR HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES? GEEZE!!!!!!!!!

Read the Second Amendment nowhere does it say the right to keep and bear arms of his or her choice.

By your reckoning, there is no right to free speech other than standing on a soap box in the city square- since there was no mass communication in 1776- no radio, tv, telephone or internet. Kind of makes you wonder why people use the 'musket' analogy. The 2nd Amendment is absolute and does not allow any restrictions on type or quantity of arms. The assaults on the 2nd started when Democrats fear of armed former slaves took the form of unlawful decrees rubber stamped by a compliant SCOTUS.

Hum, you have no idea what assault rifle is. It is currently against the law for Civilians to have assault rifles. Only the military and law enforcement are allow to have assault rifles. What a lot people take as assault rifles are military look a likes. For example AR-15 are not assault rifles, the are semi-automatics. a base ball bat is assault weapon, and if you don't believe that let beat you over the head with it a few times and then you can tell me any different.

Five round mag or hundred round mag, all it takes is one to end a life. Gun owership is about having fun and enjoying something can do outside like target shooting, hunting and protection. We already have law about killing, but does it stop criminals? Thou shall not kill.....

The first amendment guarantees each law-abiding American citizen the right to free speech. When it was written, was the internet in existence, I don't think so? Therefore, I agree with the Legions stand (on the first amendment), except I don't beleive internet and television and telephone and telegraph and radio have any need for any other than our government. Perhaps you should reconsider your argument!

Gregg, I agree with you100%. The second amendment was written for Americans to protect themselves, nowhere is it written "weapons of your own choice". Assault weapons and multiple firing clips should be in the hands of military and law enforcement. Yes, criminals will still find a way to get these, but the killings in Columbine, and Sandy hook as well as the other senseless multiple death shootings at schools,theaters and political gatherings, were not committed by criminals.WdNtm

You must be a poor shot if you need an AR-15 to hunt deer or do you hunt them with dogs and run a whole herd in the snow, tire them out, and then slay them with your big manhood rifle. I hope you don't call yourself a real sportsman.

Smartest comment that I read so far

Do you support Obama's reducing the wages of current Veterans, Are you aware that because of Obama a E-4 Married is eligible for Food Stamps?
Obama wants to disarm America, he also has not a clue on directing a war.....His goal is to have fools like you in his back pocket with the Constitution of this Country as he writes a new one up
Finally explain to me how Fast and Furious was pulled off and Hillary deserting our Ambassodor was pulled off?
Wake up this Obama guy is not for America he is for himself and his greedy friends. Our constitution was written to not be changed for the same reason we are arguing about it now so that our right could not be taken from us.
You are a traitor if you stand on the same stage as Obama who is doing all he can to terminate Americam
Explain 23 Million unemployed and counting get you hear out of your rear. Our borders are not being protected while he feeds you the Kool Aid.
We hacve earned the right to own any weapon of our choosing just as our criminals and enemy has been allowed to by Obama and our Secretary of State and the entire staff Obama has.........

Gee, I like to see you hunt birds with baseball bat. Yes, baseball bat is a assault weapon. If you do believe me ask someone was almost beaten to death with on.

The sicko who shot all those poor kids didn't even use an assault rifle he had hand guns, the so-called assault rifle was in his car and not used.

1) They weren't macho men - they were cowards, some even children the selfs.
2) Your just another example of ingnorance, they didn't us assault weapons.
3) if your referring to the common individual, why have a semi auto rifle or pistol. It is the same reason people drive corvettes instead of driving Prius, it is enjoyable, fun.
4) Our founding father never expected that our right to defend ourselfs would of been questioned no matter what type of weapon we choose, baseball bat, a semi-auto, shot gun, slingshot, bow and arrow.
5) This whole issue is that the elite want to be the only ones with any means of defending themselfs. Just ask everone of the anti-gun, gun grabbers if they have body guards with semi-autos or even they carry concealed or not. Just ask I dear you.
6). I have kids and I was mortified by what happened in Connecticut and Colorado. I even cried because I have been to both places and felt the great remorse. It just not right that cowards have to take advanage of our children that are helpless because of laws preventing them from being protected from weak, sick, coward individuals.
7) We have the right and oblgation to protect ourselves, our children and friends. Some just believe that is just not the case.
8). When I was little, second grade, I was taught that you just don't side there and let someone punch you in the face. Fight back. Take the first punch but fight back.

True our gun deaths are 4 times those of other 1st world countries but our deaths by automobile are 11 times those of the same countries. Do you condone banning automobiles?

As you can see from the resolution, it was passed by our Annual Convention. The resolution was passed first by a post, then a Department, and then at the National Level. At each level it received 50%. I'm not sure if you attended that convention, but all those present who were voting delegates voted on that resolution. If anyone wishes to change the position of The American Legion on this position or any other issue, they can follow the same exact manner, by writing up the resolution and passing it at the Post, Department and National levels. Just as some are upset by a national election when they lose, so others are upset by our positions from time to time. But each is based on a vote. Employees and officers don't make the positions anymore that anyone else who is at the post level.

Diane Feinstein "if i had my way, Mr. and Mrs. America turn 'em all in" (yes Micheal, she actually said that)
fast and furious; the crisis made to get the gun registration foot in the door, which is in effect in 5 States.
It's very concerning to see these 'alleged' Veterans rail against freedom. so what's next all you 'alleged' Vets? infringe on the right to peacefully assemble? or the right to have a different opinion than you?
you people sound like what i imagine all those German Citizens must have sounded like in the thirties and forties that just went along with what hitler and his ilk were bringing about, but after the war claimed ignorance. at least a little justice was all the Allied Commanders forcing them through the camps to see first-hand the atrocities committed by their Govt. and furthered by their own inaction. what will you say when our Govt goes in that direction? i didn't do it? i didn't know? never be foolish enough to think it can't happen here

Sir I resent your implied position that owning a modern fire arm will make me a terrorist or murderer. I am in fact far more likely to defend the innocent, assist the police and keep the peace with my fire arms. Like most veterans here i need not defend my service, honor, or rights under the second amendment. I also affirm the oath I took several times in 26 years of service.

Mr Reynolds hit the homerun so far. A marine and city police vet, have seen most all and this guy has it right..

Good bye and good riddence

Thank you for bringing up Timothy McVey. It is a great exaple of how gun bans do not prevent violence. It should also be noted the millitary would not need to be complicite. It is easy to get the millitary out of the country (you know, like a war).

You don't see a "well armed militia", because you don't know anything about American history. Jefferson defined such a "militia" as "The people, all the people". Everytime someone gets killed by a car, should all drivers feel indirectly responsible? Of course not! No one in my household will ever be gunned down by a wacko, because we own guns. It's really pretty simple when you man up and stop expecting someone else to take care of you.