We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

-- excerpted from the Declaration of Independence
July, 4, 1776

The mayor of Washington D.C. has declared another crime emergency in his city. In Washington D.C., private ownership of handguns is prohibited which means that only the police and violent criminals have guns. Since the police are clearly outnumbered, they are asking the people to be their "eyes and ears." Perhaps that may make it easier for witnesses to describe crimes to police, provided that the criminals allow any known witnesses to live.

The New York state Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics has ruled that it is permissible for judges to pack a pistol beneath their robes while on the bench. Of course, it is extremely difficult for the average American to lawfully own a firearm in New York City, regardless of where it was purchased. And don't even think about bringing your gun into a courtroom!

An off-duty Chicago officer opened fire on two men who tried to mug him early Sunday morning. Thankfully, the police officer was not injured, the crime was foiled, and the suspects have been arrested. Had this crime been attempted on an ordinary citizen in anti-gun Chicago, however, the outcome would have been much different.

These are just a few of the many examples of how gun control discriminates against ordinary citizens but allows exceptions for certain members of the government. Ironically, the only noticeable difference between ordinary citizens and these excepted members of government is their employer.

The original intent of the Second Amendment was to guard against a tyrannical government. Is a government that bans, or severely limits the ownership and possession of firearms, while simultaneously excluding themselves from such bans tyrannical? Is a government tyrannical if it prevents its citizens from defending themselves against violent crime, while simultaneously failing to keep the peace?

Our current system of a democratic republic allows us to change our government relatively quickly and easily as compared to other countries. It is unclear why citizens of crime infested cities continue to elect anti-gun politicians. One can only assume that such voters do not appreciate Liberty, nor do they have the will to sustain it.

Jennifer Freeman is Executive Director and co-founder of Liberty Belles, a grass-roots organization dedicated to restoring and preserving the Second Amendment.
http://www.libertybelles.org
jennifer@libertybelles.org