Comments about ‘Gun bill would make concealed weapons permit unnecessary’

The interpretation of the 2nd amendment as self-defense is a modern interpretation that began in the 19th Century. Arms, not guns, is mentioned in the second amendment, and those living in the 18th Century understood arms as military weapons in the service of militias or standing armies. Militias existed because people believe standing armies would rob us our liberty. The second clause of the 2nd amendment does say people have the right to bear arms, but you have to remember that in the 18th Century all people (really, meaning men, not women) were obligated to fulfill the civic duty of participating in a militia, which was government by states. Most states forbid people from traveling with guns because they believed people should be free from terror.

Furthermore, the Federalists, those who were pro-Constitution--our founders--understood the 2nd amendment as militia protection of the government. The anti-Federalists, those who resisted the Constitution, wanted to read it as protection from the government. A lot of folks have it upside-down.

There will always be someone passionate against Constitutional rights of others. When we shave away muck and opinion, the bottom line - the fundamental truth - is this: "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed." Why criticize people who live in Utah just to make a self-centered point, while you yourselves live in Utah? If you are angry that someone is carrying a gun peacefully, are you not the one in error, promoting hostility? Are we so learned, so wise, so principled to think ourselves higher than the great God-inspired Constitution? Perhaps the gun some of you fear will save your life one day. The only thing that will take us back to the lawless wild, wild west days will be the continued unraveling of our Constitution. I applaud the courage and integrity of our legislators who are deeply concerned for the potential loss of Utah's sovereignty.

How does the federal government plan to enforce these new gun control laws, if passed? Using GUNS, of course! The threat of force is what's used to gain your "compliance" with everything the government does.

The Second Amendment is the one right that protects all other rights. Without it, there would be no First Amendment, no due process, no right to remain silent, and no freedom whatsoever

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

What is the U.S. government planning that requires it to first disarm the American people? For if they really wanted to stop these school shootings , they would attack the real cause - School Kids on Psychotropic Medications , wish I could post some links on this forum, that are actual occurrences, not the made up kind by the MSM

I'm not sure how having a lot more people carrying loaded guns around is supposed to make me feel safer. Which ones are trained and which ones have no idea what they're doing? Which ones are stable and sane, and which ones are a bit on the macho side, looking and hoping for an opportunity to be the hero, shooting it out in a crowded place with a bad guy? Which ones have undiagnosed mental illnesses, ready to overreact to a non-existent threat? Which ones will remain calm in a crisis, and which will start blasting at anything that moves, overloaded with adrenaline and unable to do more than fire in the general direction of the perceived threat? And when the cops show up to an ongoing shooting scene and see several people with drawn pistols, which ones do they shoot?

Eliyahu..you are not supposed to feel safer, since, as they are concealed, you would have no idea that they are there. Just as you do not know right now, who is carrying. And I guarantee to you, it is more than you think. We really don't care how you feel, what we care about is the fact that, if something happens, we can defend ourselves, not you. If that means you get saved, great, but that isn't really our intent, our intent is for YOU to be able to defend yourself, if you so choose. If you choose to be an unarmed victim, that is your right as well, but you shouldn't get to make that decision for the rest of us.

I get a kick out of the incessant "what-if" arguments, as there are presently several states that DO allow any legal citizen of age to carry concealed. Two of those states allow 16 year olds to carry concealed. And NONE of the "what-if" issues has ever actually been a problem in any of those states. Vermont has not become the Wild West!

All for constitutional carry, but I think NOT requiring a background check or permit is taking things too far to the other side.

Your version? The quote you offer up doesn't use the parlance of the time, and is an obvious modern day paraphrasing designed to offer up a different intent. You can't misquote George Washington and expect people to take you seriously.

@Harley Rider

'How does the federal government plan to enforce these new gun control laws, if passed? Using GUNS, of course! The threat of force is what's used to gain your "compliance" with everything the government does.'

Thank you for pointing out what isn't so obvious to many of the commenters here, but should be. So, let's say it isn't safe to allow just any old somebody on the streets carry a weapon. Fine. But what are you going to do about it? Have some armed and dangerous federal goon squad shake those people down? Here's a news flash to all of you who think this is a dangerous bill. The GOVERNMENT is dangerous. The government, itself, arms drug dealers and terrorists all over this world. Some of their own armed agents wreak all manner of havoc on the innocents. So, while the thought of everyday citizens possessing firearms may make some of you feel a little squeamish, just consider that there are armed and dangerous individuals ALREADY out there terrorizing this world, some with our corrupt government's blessing. When that same government of excess, in that rare instance, offers to limit itself, ACCEPT!

Don't the Politician realize everybody started out as a law abiding citizen!!!