Second Amendment Upheld

You gotta love those Second Amendment rights.

Governor Jan Brewer was quite clear when she signed in April the bill establishing Arizona as only the third state to legalize possession of concealed weapons without a permit, declaring

I believe strongly in the individual rights and responsibilities of a free society, and as governor I have pledged a solemn and important oath to protect and defend the Constitution. I believe this legislation not only protects the Second Amendment rights of Arizona citizens, but restores those rights as well.

State Senator Russell Pearce, also a Republican and sponsor of the legislation (and of SB 1070), was at least as emphatic, arguing

If you want to carry concealed, and you have no criminal history, you are a good guy, you can do it. It's a freedom that poses no threat to the public.

Oh, dear. Gerald Loughner concealed his semi-automatic weapon. And apparently murdered six people. With a weapon which was illegal under the federal assault weapons ban, which expired in 2004.

But newly-seated Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) is unmoved about concealed weapons, maintaining "I don't think that that plays into this at all. Really, I think they're unrelated." Paul's misguided obsession with the Second Amendment no doubt is of little consolation to the families of:

- U.S. District Judge John Roll, 63.
- Gabe Zimmerman, 30, Giffords' director of community outreach.
- Dorwin Stoddard, 76, a pastor at Mountain Ave. Church of Christ.
- Christina Greene, 9, a student at Mesa Verde Elementary.
- Dorthy Murray, 76.
- Phyllis Scheck, 79.


I'm sure the NRA extends its condolences.

Share|