Can a segment of America’s citizens be carved out as a separate class of people whose rights can be limited at the same time those rights are maintained by others? Judging by the desire to craft laws to further limit access to firearms for those between 18-21 years of age, many answer that question in the affirmative.
This post is a brief summary accompanied by a link to an article written by Justin Stapley for the Federalist Coalition, a 501(c)(4) non-profit, non-partisan organization whose mission is to promote and educate Americans on the principles of federalism. For more links as well as insights, short-posts, and general ramblings from Justin Stapley (editor and owner of The Liberty Hawk), visit The Editor’s Corner.
I have left very little doubt as to where I stand when it comes to the right to bear arms. I am passionate about this right and have raised my voice constantly in its defense. It should be of no surprise that in the aftermath of the Parkland Shooting, I spoke out against many of the proposed legislative actions that were popular at the time. Specifically, in an article for the Federalist Coalition, I spoke out against proposed laws that would limit the ability for those between the ages of 18 and 21 to purchase and own firearms.
Such an action, I argue in the article, would create a system where lawful adults, recognized as full citizens, would be treated differently and afforded disparate access to their constitutionally enumerated rights than their fellow citizens. Such a scheme would effectively make them second class citizens.
This idea is repulsive to me. Not only because it is philosophically inconsistent to the American value of equality before the law, but because it would impact two groups of people who I feel should be the first to have access to the means of defending themselves: those in the service and college-aged women.
Read the full article:
Do you have a response to Justin’s article? Would you like to offer your own take on this topic? Feel free to submit your own article or offer a comment below.