U.S.A. – -(Ammoland.com)- Wednesday’s AmmoLand article correcting a pro-gun writer on his presumption that the Second Amendment grants the right to keep and bear arms resonated with most of the readers commenting so far. They appear to share the clear understanding that no one in government gave us that right so it is not theirs to take away.
Surprisingly though, a Facebook colleague has alerted us to a source that just doesn’t get it: The White House.
Per its explanation of the Constitution:
“The Second Amendment gives citizens the right to bear arms.”
A facepalm is in order. Especially after all the fine words on the right to keep and bear arms from President Trump:
“[Y]ou have an administration fighting to protect your Second Amendment, and we will protect your Second Amendment,” he promised NRA members. “Your Second Amendment rights are under siege, but they will never, ever be under siege as long as I’m your president.”
We can argue about how sincere we think he was later. Right now, let’s focus on the White House statement. As suspected, the language is a holdover from the Obama White House.
It’s disappointing that staffers didn’t catch this. But I’m willing to stipulate this is one of a million things the president never knew about, and with all his priorities he probably never would unless someone called it to his attention.
So let’s call it to his attention and let him know it’s something he can correct, literally in 10 seconds, simply by telling an aide to fix it.
So how can we get his attention?
I just got done creating a White House petition.
“Recognize that the government does not ‘give citizens the right to bear arms,’’ it asks, further explaining and requesting:
“The White House website section on the Constitution instructs ‘The Second Amendment gives citizens the right to bear arms.’ This is exactly wrong and contradicts the very nature of unalienable rights, the clear intent of the Founders and the understanding of the right as articulated by the Supreme Court.
“Privileges are granted. Rights are inherent to the condition of being human. The Second Amendment didn’t create a right to keep and bear arms — it acknowledged a right that was already assumed and accepted at the time of ratification. Nobody in government gave us that right, so it’s not theirs to take away.
“Please correct your website description and make an announcement about the change.”
I’m asking readers here to help by signing the petition and recruiting your gun-owning friends to do the same. It’ll take less than a minute, probably less time than it takes to post a comment here.
I don’t know if this will attract the number of required signatures, 100,000 by July 27, to get a White House response or not. My experience has been that expecting most gun owners to do anything (besides anonymously complain in comments) generally results in disappointment. Maybe it won’t take that many.
The president is also very active on Twitter, and I intend to send him the link to both the petition and this column and to ask readers to do the same.
For do-nothings who are still inclined to naysay, all I can counter with is that you sometimes can get the mountain to move. 12 years ago, with no help (but with plenty of hindrances) I was able to persuade the George W. Bush administration to issue a correction to Federal Aviation Administration spaceflight guidelines withdrawing its characterization of the Second Amendment as a “collective right.”
It can be done.
The petition ends asking the White House to make an announcement when they’ve made the change. Hopefully, they will see political value in taking an effortless action that will cost them nothing, will generate publicity gaining them goodwill with gun owners, and that will publicly stick a finger in the eye of the Democrats.
Why not help and be a part of this admittedly small — but nonetheless positive — change? As enemies of the right to keep and bear arms show us practically every day, increments matter.
About David Codrea:
David Codrea is the winner of multiple journalist awards for investigating/defending the RKBA and a long-time gun owner rights advocate who defiantly challenges the folly of citizen disarmament. He blogs at “The War on Guns: Notes from the Resistance,” is a regularly featured contributor to Firearms News, and posts on Twitter: @dcodrea and Facebook.