Louisiana voters choose gun rights

Kudos to Louisianans who on Nov. 6  overwhelmingly voted for Proposition Two, an amendment to their state’s constitution that solidifies the Second Amendment in the state of Louisiana.

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The new law says that “the right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental right” and would require courts to apply  “the highest standard” of law when and if state municipalities enact laws that act in violation of the second amendment.

Critics say this measure will open the door to a flood of appeals to the courts by criminals who will seek to overturn convictions and gain access to firearms.  They also suggest that the new law will lead to a reversal of gun restrictions that are now in place, such as at schools, courthouses and churches.

Those supportive of the proposition say that the amendment is needed to make sure that judges do not undermine the second amendment because of their own personal beliefs that firearms are dangerous in the hands of law abiding citizens.

They also suggest that the trend in America is to use safety as an excuse to create more gun control laws.  We all know, that the facts show otherwise.  In areas that gun control is prominent, so is violent crime.

Louisiana is now the only state in the union to enact such a protection for its citizens.  For us gun rights supporters, Louisiana’s proposition can be used as a template to further contain the acts of misguided politicians and judges who unfortunately continue to suppress gun rights across the nation, under the false assumption that gun laws keep us safe.

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What makes this proposition so successful is the simplicity of it.  Propositions at the state level have failed due to the complexity of the language and the undue length of the proposals.  Louisiana made it simple.  The state constitution now says:   “The right of each citizen to keep and bear arms is fundamental and shall not be abridged infringed. but this provision shall not prevent the passage of laws to prohibit the carrying of weapons concealed on the person.   Any restriction on this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.”

This law is a win for the Constitution!  All too often, federal and state laws operate in opposition to the Constitution, even though they ought not to.  It takes courage for the citizens of Louisiana to ask that restrictions on the second amendment be carefully reviewed, so that liberty is protected at each level.

Now it is time for the rest of America to realize that the Constitution actually means something for the good.  It is not an outdated document, or a living, breathing document that accepts tampering.

The Constitution is the document that separates us from all other countries.  It gives us liberty, individuality, and protection from big government control.  Indeed, the second amendment is the amendment that protects all other rights, because it provides the meat for the meal.

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Without the ability to protect ourselves against foes, foreign and domestic, tyrannical government or the would-be killer, we would not be America anymore.

“Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples’ liberty’s teeth.” – President George Washington

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