topic revisitation: right to bear arms versus technology
In an earlier post I talked about the right to bear arms and the sublimation of that right’s role in the modern world (thanks in large part to the onward march of the technology of warfare).
I’m turning over the coin and looking at the other side a little more closely…
I guess part of the great thing and the terrible thing about our society today is that it is set up such that the will of the masses doesn’t trample on the liberties of the minority. Which is why we have a dicameral system, and three branches of government.
Someone or another (I’ve seen it attributed to 5 different people so far, so I’ll just skip the attribution) said “Democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding on a dinner menu. Liberty is a well-armed sheep asserting his rights.” Which is really a surprisingly good metaphor for how our entire system is set up.
Basically, the government is set up so that the will of the majority gets expressed, but at the same time the will of the minority can prevent it. So if the majority decides “we should stomp out the minority”, the minority can say “no ya don’t”. Why amendments to the constitution require both houses of congress to have a 2/3 majority, and then to be ratified by 3/4 of the states. The idea is to protect the minority, by allowing them to shield themselves from the will of the majority.
So, the question at hand isn’t “can I stop the government from invading their next target by marching to washington with my buddies” but “can I take down a couple of soldiers who are trying to take away my property without due compensation?”. And I’d say a .45 and some target practice would allow you to do just that, albeit at the likely forfeiture of your own life in the process.
Many of us say “well, that’s just stupid! what’s the point if you still end up dead?”. But, I think that’s ultimately a sign of our cowardice and complacence in these modern times … nothing is worth dying for to us. No matter what it is, it’s just not worth the cost of your own life. Not your dignity, nor your humanity, nor your ideals.
I’m … not entirely sure how I feel about that, but I have the gut feeling that it’s a bad thing.