This is Part VI in the Shredding the Constitution series.

The Declaration proclaims the rights of every person to “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

Thus, it stands to reason, for all reasonable individuals, that, any person or level of government that would choose to imperil another’s life or attempt to interfere with anyone’s liberty does so at their own peril.

That’s for starters. Here’s more.

The U.S. Constitution specifies the responsibilities specifically assigned to government, federal and states, and retains all others for the people. 

And, the Bill of Rights specifically defines the individual freedoms that are to be sacrosanct and cannot be violated.

Previously, in this series, we discussed the encroachments by government, institutions and activist groups on each of the citizen Freedoms specified in the First Amendment.

Now, we focus on the Second Amendment:

“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.”

Over recent decades, with all of the orchestrated actions undertaken to impinge, undermine and limit the Second Amendment rights of all citizens, many Americans have come to believe that the Second Amendment is the most important among the first Ten Amendments that comprise the Bill of Rights.

Thomas Jefferson likely understood that when, centuries ago, he proclaimed: “No freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms.”

Jefferson was not alone. Here’s how James Madison put it: “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

We could recap and discuss here many of the cases that have gone to court and been decided one way or the other.

But, in reality, to do that serves only the purposes of those in government and other interest groups, who continue the assault on the freedoms guaranteed in the Declaration and the U.S. Constitution.

Rather, we’ll pose a set of basic questions. Perhaps, all who read this will contemplate and carefully calibrate their thoughts, much as our Founders obviously did.

Should you have the right to repel an assault on your person or family? Should you have the right to come to the assistance of another person, who is being assaulted or molested, raped or kidnapped?

Should you have the right to own a pistol or rifle? Should you have the right to not be required to register or secure a license?

Should you have the right to carry arms concealed on your person or in your vehicle?

Should you have the right to not be limited to government prescribed ammunition levels?

One can surmise Founder John Adams responses from pondering his 1788 statement: “Arms in the hands of citizens (may) be used at individual discretion.. in private self defense...”

Even liberal Hubert Humphrey got it. He said:  “The right of citizens to bear arms is just one guarantee against arbitrary government, one more safeguard against the tyranny, which historically has proved to be always possible.”

Regrettably, that tyranny Humphrey described as “arbitrary government, “is increasing.” Methodically, “arbitrary government” has become never-ending as government, at all levels, pursues unbridled power over everyone. Why would government be arbitrary?

George Mason may be telling us why when he said: “...to disarm the people is the best and most effective way to enslave them.” The potential chaos that could lie ahead is being paved by government bureaucrats and political incumbents, whose pursuit of power animates their behaviors, skews decision-making and breeds contempt for their oath of office, which they lustfully evade.

Truth Shot: ‘If freedom loving citizens are disarmed, all people can become serfs to government, subject to the whim and abuse of those assigned as local controllers.

Perhaps, the late Charlton Heston said it all with these words:  “From these cold, dead, hands”? Richard Olivastro is president of Olivastro Communications. Rich Olivastro@ gmail.com or by phone at 1-877-RichSpeaks.