2nd Amendment Resistance

Lean in to the 2nd Amendment

I’ve been haunted by a substack I read. “The Existential Republic: I researched every attempt to stop fascism in history. The success rate is 0%” outlined 4 options for defeating our growing fascism, and while I feel paralyzed when considering what I can, as an individual, do, to resist, Chris suggests some things as States we might do to throw sand into the gears and make authoritarian power grabs more difficult and ultimately more costly than they might be worth.

Then, Minneapolis. Of course it wasn’t that long ago that even here in blue Madison, WI we had a similar incident.

Let the hand wringing begin. Oh I wish there was something we could do. Thoughts and Prayers.

Screw thoughts and prayers. Here is what is on my mind. Lean into the 2nd Amendment.

Let me set it up. Now, granted, my examples are not written into the constitution but may serve as an example.

I have a drivers license. I’m 70. In order to get that license, (oh, so many years ago), and operate what could be a lethal weapon, I needed to take some lessons, incur the wrath of my father’s tutelage, and, finally, take a drivers test, a written test, a picture, and then pay for a license. If I do something that in some way violates what I’m allowed to do with that license I have to pull it out and show it to law enforcement. If I don’t have one, things can go badly. Now, although every state has different frequencies, I have to renew that license, again, depending on the state, every 1 to 10 years and that renewal can include a vision test, a written test, perhaps a road test, an in-person visit to the DMV and usually a fee. Every state has a different set of expectations but if I want my license, in my state, I need to follow those expectations.

I also have an Amateur Radio Extra Class License. While it is not a lethal weapon, unless I touch the wrong wires, I needed to demonstrate certain knowledge to get that license. There are 3 different pools of questions, known as Elements, that make up the tests I needed to take. As of this writing those tests contained a total of 1446 questions out of which a representative 120 questions were selected somewhat randomly, and I needed to score 70% or above to be granted a license. If I violate the license privileges I can incur a fine, and/or the confiscation of my equipment and losing my license.

Firearms. I am not a constitutional scholar and I may be wrong but FFS enough of the hand-wringing. Don’t try to abolish the 2nd amendment, lean into it. Lean into “well regulated.” The 2nd amendment is not monolithic. Every state has different tweaks to their gun laws. So let’s tweak our gun laws, at least at a state level, so that having a gun is at least as difficult as a driver’s license. Require a test, written and on the range, require a fee, require renewal. Take names and write them down. If you are in possession of a firearm without a license/permit, confiscate, fine, imprison. If your license/permit expires, confiscate, fine. If you sell or give a firearm to someone without a current license/permit confiscate, fine, imprison. If you cross into a state with different expectations, enforce those expectations. I live in Wisconsin. While I can go to Illinois and purchase marijuana, if I bring it across state lines, “But officer, I bought it in Illinois” ain’t gonna cut it.

Is it constitutional? I don’t know. Will it work in red states or deeply purple states (welcome to Wisconsin)? I don’t know. Will it work in deep blue states? Maybe. Give people 5 years to comply. Heck RealID was enacted in 2005 and there are still states that have not fully implemented the act. Write the legislation and bring it to the floor and let the opponents defend themselves. If you can pass legislation, great. Let the opponents waste their energy opposing the legislation. And if it falls, tweak it and run it up the flagpole again and again and again. Make opponents justify why shooting up a prayer service at a parochial school is their Constitutional right.

https://cmarmitage.substack.com/p/i-researched-every-attempt-to-stop
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annunciation_Catholic_Church_shooting
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abundant_Life_Christian_School_shooting
https://www.drivinglaws101.com/license-renewals
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/amateur-radio-service/examinations
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_the_United_States_by_state
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_ID_Act