On Guard

                The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday is the simple fact that we must be ever watchful and keep our guard up, or we will lose rights, freedoms, and liberty. The judicial system from the lower courts to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) seem ever willing to bestow rights not outlined in the Constitution and to weaken or destroy rights actually listed in the Bill of Rights.

                In recent years we have watched helplessly as the highest court in the land has legalized murder of infants (abortion) and sodomy (same sex marriage). At the same time, we have seen judges do their best time after time to deny Americans the rights to defend ourselves. Self-defense is an unalienable right given to us by God and guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. Yet, judges continue to water down the Right to Bear Arms enshrined in the Second Amendment.

                Daniel Horowitz discusses this irony in his article “An Inconvenient Right: Ninth Circuit Fails to Protect 2nd Amendment.” He writes, “Let’s be clear here:  There is only one enumerated right in the Bill of Rights for which the unequivocal language of `shall not be infringed’ is used. That language is not used for abortion or forced recognition of alternative lifestyles as marriage against the will of the states. (In fact, it doesn’t talk about those things at all in the Constitution. Yet, the courts are saying states can’t even implement common sense health regulations on abortion clinics.) The one right that is mentioned explicitly in unmistakable language, on the other hand, seems to be open to all sorts of political arguments by the courts.”

                Horowitz reminds his readers that criminals do not bother to have background checks and then writes, “Placing a 10-day waiting period is a substantial burden, especially for first-time purchasers who often make the decision out of an imminent sense of fear or need for self-defense.

                “Such a restriction is manifestly unconstitutional for those who are approved quickly by the federal background check system….

                “The same courts that nullify every legitimate state power – from marriage and abortion regulation to election maps and even adhering to natural law – are suddenly deferential to state laws that are incontrovertibly against the plain language of the Constitution.”       

        

                The article by Horowitz is very interest and lists two additional observations:  (1) “The lower courts are killing the Second Amendment. SCOTUS remains silent”and (2) “The courts are a one-way dead-end for conservatives.”

                The Bill of Rights has been part of the Supreme Law of the United States for more than 225 years. The guardian of freedom has done its job well. Now we must preserve and protect that law in order for it to continue to preserve our rights, freedoms, and liberty itself.