Gun control is not about guns, it is about control!
Rudy Giuliani came to speak in Columbia, SC on Tuesday, August 14, 2007.
In an earlier Presidential debate, Rudy tried to deflect attention from his long history of strong anti gun actions and positions by stating each state should be able to pass whatever gun control laws that state wanted to pass.
GrassRoots GunRights leaders found such a statement to be very troubling. If each state is free to pass laws that violate the individual rights guaranteed in the United States Constitution, then what individual rights are safe from government abuse? Imagine if a state - by majority vote - decided to pass a law allowing racial discrimination, or instituting a state religion, or allowing the police to search private homes without probable cause - all of which would violate the United States Constitution. Is this what Rudy had in mind?
GrassRoots GunRights leaders decided to give Rudy the opportunity to clear things up in a public forum. GrassRoots GunRights leaders went to the Columbia, SC meeting to ask Rudy a question about his interpretation of our Constitutional rights. Rudy's answer should send chills up any freedom loving person's spine.
Edward Kelleher, GrassRoots GunRights President, asked the following question: "You said in a prior debate that you believe individual states should enact gun control laws as they see fit. My question is - Would you also allow each state the option to deny individuals their other rights such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures, or freedom from racial discrimination?"
As Mr. Kelleher was asking the question, Rudy shook his head in agreement because that is precisely what Rudy said in a prior Republican Presidential primary debate. But, what is so chilling to freedom lovers is what Rudy had to say next. Rudy said he would allow each state to do exactly that!
Rudy Giuliani believes states have the power to deny individuals the very rights protected by the United States Constitution just so long as the state does not completely deny the right!
The reasoning and example Rudy used at the meeting to support his anti freedom beliefs is that he thinks our individual constitutional rights are just like property rights. Rudy thinks that just as local government has the power to make zoning laws to restrict one's property rights, local government also has the power to restrict any of our other rights. Rudy thinks the only limitation upon local government should be that it can not completely extinguish the right.
So, as long as a Constitutionally guaranteed individual right is only 99% - but not 100% - abolished by local government law, it would pass Constitutional muster according to Rudy. Rudy stated that allowing local government such latitude is what federalism is all about.
Gun owners already understand how threatening this is to the very basis of freedom.
So, if you support gun control, then think about this principle in the context of something other than guns just as GrassRoots GunRights leadership did.
Rudy's "thinking" would allow states to go back to the Jim Crow days of "separate, but equal". States could once again enforce laws that require separate facilities for blacks and whites, just as long as facilities were provided for both races. In fact, the facilities would not even have to be equal.
Rudy's "thinking" would allow states to establish state subsidized religions or state subsidized churches. As long as the state did not legislatively abolish a religion, it would be free to subsidize the preferred ones.
Rudy's "thinking" would allow states to once again punish "seditious" or "libelous" speech aimed at government officials regardless of the truth or falsity of what was said. Freedom of speech would not be completely abolished because you could still say nice things about government officials.
Everyone who values our Bill of Rights and our freedom needs to rise up and expose Rudy for the anti freedom control freak that he is. America deserves better!
sRemember, gun control is not about guns, it is about control!
