We largely stay out of the political arenas here on the blog, leaving that stuff to others who are better informed on such matters. Speaking for John, we are largely of the “live and let live” school of thought. I personally don’t care much about what people do unless it starts infringing upon my own rights as an American citizen.
Having said that, the historic win by Donald Trump can potentially be so significant as it relates to our rights and abilities to defend ourselves, that we thought it appropriate to write at least a short article.
In my opinion, Trump has a few opportunities to improve the self-defense capabilities of the people of this great nation. Probably most importantly, he is in a position to affect, for many years to come, the makeup of the United States Supreme Court. Already down one member with the unanticipated passing of Justice Scalia in February, Trump (with a Republican Senate hopefully approving his appointments) can appoint a worthy successor. This may also be a good opportunity for Justice Thomas—who has hinted at retirement a number of times recently—to step down and be replaced by a younger justice, solidifying the court for years to come. If the cards really work out, then perhaps Justice Ginsburg will retire or otherwise leave the court, allowing a firmer grip on the court by more conservative justices.
Why is this so important? Well, in case you have been under a rock, the Second Amendment has been slowly eroded over the years with things like the National Firearms Act of 1934, the Gun Control Act of 1968, the since-expired Clinton assault-weapons ban of 1994, etc. Perhaps more importantly, at the state level, many of our readers “behind enemy lines” in places like New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, Colorado, Washington, and California have been victims of an assortment of knee-jerk, feel-good gun control legislation, and many of these laws are currently being challenged by lawsuits that are now in the appeals process. A favorable Supreme Court can cure some of these ills for the foreseeable future.
Self-defense related laws can be further influenced via Congress and the Presidency through the Hearing Protection Act and introducing a sensible system of national concealed-carry reciprocity. Considering the role of this blog, national reciprocity would be an enormous benefit. I am married in all fifty states and my driver’s license is accepted in all fifty states, so why is my concealed-carry permit only accepted in 35 or so? Imagine not having to consult http://handgunlaw.us/ each time you travel around the country. Any such laws would also make the “may-issue” concealed carry laws in some states moot; how can a state deny its own residents the ability to carry concealed when licensed residents of other states would be able to carry in that same state?
I am not what I would call a Trump fan, but I am ecstatic he won (and the somber attitude of my co-workers this morning, in a school inside a liberal Mecca, was priceless!). The above outline just a few things he and Congress can do to make it easier for regular people to be able to defend themselves. And that’s what we have always been about here on the blog. So I am cautiously optimistic about the possibilities before us.
What are your thoughts on the election? Are there other potential areas that Congress and the soon-to-be President can address that would improve our ability to defend ourselves? Please share your thoughts below or on our Facebook page. As always, thank for reading.
CIVILIAN GUNFIGHTER 