A little known fact: The first political organization to state that the right to bear arms as stated in the Second Amendment was an individual right, was the Black Panther Party in point 7 of their 10 Point Program:
7. We want an immediate end to POLICE BRUTALITY and MURDER of black people.
We believe we can end police brutality in our black community by organizing black self-defense groups that are dedicated to defending our black community from racist police oppression and brutality. The Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States gives a right to bear arms. We therefore believe that all black people should arm themselves for self defense.
This was issued in 1966 and was subsequently taken up as a liberal cause supported by the ACLU. At the time, the NRA still held with the interpretation of the Second Amendment that viewed the right to bear arms as a collective right for the protection of a free state.
Just a little food for thought . . .
- STORMBRINGER SENDS
FWIW,
ReplyDeleteIn the 1960s, shortly after the Black Panthers began to "monitor" police vehicle stops of black drivers in black neighborhoods, by parking 2-4 Panthers, armed, in a vehicle behind that of the local constabulary during said stops, the various legislatures quickly set to in making concealed carry, carrying loaded, and carrying weapons in vehicles criminal offenses. Before this time, outside of places like NYC, such laws were largely unheard of.
As a German pastor observed once, "First they came for the trade unionists..."
And historically, the NRA looks out for the NRA. If my rights or yours happen to get buffed up in the meanwhile, it's a happy coincidence, and seldom is such serendipity aimed for or appreciated. Whenever possible, it's drowned like an unwanted litter of kittens, and right quick.
Best regards,
-Aesop