Will Grigg?s Liberty Minute

December 31, 2009

The constitutional republic created by America?s Founding Fathers did not claim a monopoly on the legitimate use of force. This is the core principle embodied in the Second Amendment to the Constitution.

As James Madison explained in Federalist Paper 46, the purpose of preserving what he called the people?s ?advantage of being armed? was to deter tyrants and, when necessary, remove them from power.

A glimpse of the radically different views of contemporary leaders was offered Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck, who recently criticized a state appeals court for overturning a law forbidding felons to own body armor.

According to Chief Beck, ?there is an absolute need [to ban ownership of body armor] by anyone other than law enforcement personnel?.? This would include common civilians.

Body armor, of course, is purely defensive. Beck ? a second-generation, 32-year veteran police officer who must have some acquaintance with the U.S. Constitution ? believes that agents of the state are entitled to deprive the public of any means of self-defense.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.