LETTERS: FOUNDERS CLEAR ON BEARING ARMS

To the editor:

The Nov. 19 letter from S.L. Hodge about the Founding Fathers' not foreseeing automatic weapons and implying that, therefore, modern firearms are somehow outside the scope of constitutional protection is almost a form letter of the liberal editorial writers guild. Mr. Hodge assumes that because he is pure of heart and of superior intellect and divine wisdom the Founders would agree with his every thought without any reference to the writings or speeches of the Founders to back him up. His letter is void of anything even remotely resembling fact. It is nothing but personal opinion. He relies on pure emotion, character assassination and hyperbole to attempt to make his point.

First, let's set the record straight. Automatic weapons are by definition machine guns capable of continuous fire with a single pull of the trigger. Such firearms have been under strict control since 1932 and are not available to "anyone who can come up with the money." What is available on the market today are semi-automatic firearms requiring a pull of the trigger for every shot. Regardless of their outward appearance, they are no different from the hunting arms used by Teddy Roosevelt in the early part of this century.

Before anyone endorses the proposition that, because the Founders could not have foreseen modern firearms, they are not covered by the Second Amendment, he should consider the full ramification of such a notion. The Founders could not have foreseen radio and television or the possibility of a newspaper's being published on the East Coast and distributed across the country the same day allowing a very few publications to exercise undue influence on the entire population. Therefore, to be covered by the First Amendment, all newspapers and books would have to be printed on hand-operated presses and delivered by jackass. And radio and television? Forget it. I have never met anyone who would advance such a notion, and I doubt anyone out there reading this or the editors of this newspaper would either.

As far as the National Rifle Association's advocating unrestricted access to firearms, Mr. Hodge reveals his personal bias in this area. The NRA has as long as I have been a member been in favor of restricting access to persons with criminal and violent histories, with severe penalties for violations involving firearms. This approach is along the lines of one of the most successful organizations in changing laws and people's attitudes on a matter of public safety, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. If the founders of MADD had taken the approach of Mr. Hodge and Sara Brady, the organization would be known as Mothers Against Cars. Instead of trying to legislate against inanimate objects, let's concentrate on the perpetrators. It is a reality today that a person who commits murder during the commission of a crime is likely to be sentenced to 20 years in prison, eligible for parole in seven and back on the street shortly thereafter. There needs to be a real penalty for violent crimes involving weapons of any type, severe enough to cause the potential perpetrator to have second thoughts. And if not a deterrent, sentences that are long and keep these violent predators locked up where they cannot injure or kill innocent people are a more appropriate approach.

As for the opinions of the Founders, let's hear from a few of them:

"Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence." -- George Washington

"I ask, sir, who is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few elected officials. To disarm the people, that is the best and most effective to enslave them." -- George Mason

"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed, as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword because the whole body of people are armed and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States." -- Noah Webster

"They that give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin

"Americans have the right and advantage of being armed, unlike citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms." -- James Madison

"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined." -- Patrick Henry

"Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? ... Congress have no right to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American. ... The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or the state governments, but where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people." -- Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb. 20, 1788.

I think this shows the position of the Founders. If anyone wants more detail on the founding of country, may I suggest reading the Federalist Papers. I find it amazing that this book is no longer required reading in high school. Most people I discuss this issue with have never heard of it, much less read it. Yet, like Mr. Hodge, they consider themselves to be experts on the opinions and intents of the Founding Fathers. If anyone out there wants to delve further into this subject and has Internet access, may I suggest www. founding.com and www.2ndlawlib.com.

ROBERT A CRON

Cape Girardeau