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View Full Version : The right to bear arms--responsibly



Tallbear
04-05-2006, 07:03 AM
http://www.michiganreview.com/article.php?id=1771



Want to take a real bite out of crime? According to the College Libertarians, the best way to do that is through personal protection with the use of firearms, a point they made clear in sponsoring a personal protection speech and gun giveaway April 3rd in the Michigan Union. The random selection of University of Michigan student Laura Dodd, one of only five female attendees, was especially significant for an event that primarily focused on the role of women in the fight for personal protection.

The event was kicked off with a speech from College Libertarians head, and former Michigan Review staff Jeremy Linden. While admitting that the Libertarian party is focused on “liberty in general,” Linden continued by explaining the importance of gun control and its ties to the Second Amendment, a fundamental principle of the Libertarian Party. This is the first gun giveaway sponsored by the University of Michigan chapter of College Libertarians, but the group was influenced by similar events held at other colleges. While gun control is only one of many personal liberty-focused issues central to Libertarian principles, Linden admitted that its controversial nature made it a good draw to non-Libertarians and could potentially contribute to a spike in interest and membership for the organization. In addition to supporting a “100% end to gun control,” College Libertarians also sponsor Hash Bash events in support of drug legalization an! d have previously invited speakers for events on MCRI and economic globalization, as the group attempts to raise its campus profile.

When University of Michigan School of Education alumni Neva Li graduated in 1998, she was battling an abusive marriage in addition to completing her degree in biology. A casual discussion with a friend led to a debate on the Second Amendment, and now, six years later, Li serves as a board member and secretary of the Shooters’ Alliance for Firearm Rights, and spoke at the event. Li's initial interest in Second Amendment rights led to her now passionate defense of personal protection rights, especially where women are concerned. In addition to working as a science teacher and serving with SAFR, Li is also a licensed instructor for the National Rifle Association, and is involved with a women’s self-defense group, Refuse to be a Victim. An self-declared gun enthusiast, Li admitted, “ I just love getting out there and shooting with friends.” Li works with SAFR primarily to influence legislation affecting gun control and personal protection, ! but hardly considers herself anything more than a concerned and passionate citizen. “I pay attention to every law—until I change them,” she said.

Li directly confronted the arguments for gun control, citing common dismissals of the rights outlined in the Second Amendment as “old-fashioned” or based on the now unnecessary presence of a United States militia. “We’re the militia,” Li responded, saying she felt proud to live in a nation “founded by minutemen,” and that she could “look to the words of the founders,” in her defense of personal protection rights.

Her speech concluded with a call to young people to literally take up arms and become more involved in the fight for personal protection rights, referencing the proverbial ‘bad guy’ she feels currently threatens said rights. “It’s not about taking a life—it’s about saving mine,” Li concluded.

The second speaker for the evening’s event was Mike Thiede, President of the Michigan Gun Owners, a non-profit grass roots group supporting personal protection rights. Theide joked that he felt as though he were walking through Ann Arbor with a target on his back, as he proudly displayed the Michigan Gun Owners logo on the back of his jacket. The focus of Thiede’s speech was the role of Michigan Gun Owners and its cooperation with SAFR to encourage gun safety and awareness, citing such programs as Safe Storage, gun lock giveaways, and the annual Family Firearms Day, aimed at educating gun owners and their children about gun safety and handling. “Safe handling is not the responsibility of the legislature…[it’s] the responsibility of the individual,” Thiedes said. In addition, Thiedes spoke of the importance of individual contributions to the defense of Second Amendment rights vis-a-vis through voter education and turnout.

The event was met with a certain level of criticism from liberal student groups who claimed the College Libertarians were focusing too tightly on one particularly controversial issue in order to gain attendance, though Linden defended their action: “It’s not about concealed carrying…[or] about hunting. It’s about ownership.”

Divegeek
04-05-2006, 06:07 PM
Well it was a pretty good story, except that they left out the part were Mike talked about the racist roots of gun control in Michigan. ie the Dr. Sweet story