Letters to the editor Sept. 16

Arm yourself with common sense

Our country was founded on extremely divisive speech, and that divisive speech produced a violent political revolution. That political violence was acceptable to the majority of the people. Our founders protected our freedom to speak divisively against the current group-think when they included the First Amendment to the Constitution.  

The focus of the American Revolution was to stand against government tyranny. The founders realized that even the government they were creating could become tyrannical. That realization resulted in the Second Amendment giving the people the right to bear arms against the possibility of a tyrannical government.

We should have strong beliefs, political or otherwise. We should not hesitate to argue against beliefs that we disagree with. We should do this with enough passion and volume that those who represent us hear what we say. 

We should also accept that even though we are free to speak our mind that we may possibly receive a violent response.

We should have whatever firearms we want to feed ourselves, protect ourselves, entertain ourselves and on the rare occasion to rise up against a tyrannical government. We should accept the fact that reckless use of firearms in any of the named uses may result in death or incarceration of yourself or others.  

What I’m trying to say is, think about what you are saying and what kind of response you may receive. Don’t blindly step into the crosswalk just because you have the right of way. Don’t brandish any kind of weapon because you have rights unless you are willing to kill or be killed. Our laws don’t protect you. They only attempt to bring justice after an incident.  

Common sense is your best protection.

— David Mosby, Kalispell