Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution - Bill of Rights

"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

Preservation and Proposition

Our mission is to document the pivotal Second Amendment events that occurred in Frontier Mercersburg, and its environs, and to heighten awareness of the importance of these events in the founding of our Nation.

We are dedicated to the preservation of the place where the Second Amendment was "born" and to the proposition that the Second Amendment (the "right to bear arms") is the keystone of our Liberty and the Republic.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Battle Cry of the 2nd Amendment - "Molon Labe" or. . ."Come and Take Them!"

Two little Greek words. . ."Molon Labe" (mo-lone lah-veh).

With these two words, two concepts were verbalized that have lived for nearly two and a half Millennia in the West. They signify and characterize both the heart of the Warrior, and the indomitable spirit of mankind.

In 480 B.C. the forces of the Persian Empire under King Xerxes, numbering, according to Herodotus, two million men, bridged the Hellespont and marched in their myriads to invade and enslave Greece.

Taxing the Second Amendment

By Emily Miller - 6/26/2013

Liberals are trying every tool at their disposal this year to go after guns. They have failed on Capitol Hill to restrict the Second Amendment, so they are moving through the states to enact their agenda. The latest maneuver is to hike the tax on guns and ammunition to dissuade the law-abiding from buying firearms. It's the perfect storm of liberalism - more revenue for a bigger government and fewer people keeping and bearing arms.

President Obama's hometown of Chicago started the movement late last year by enacting a $25 tax on new firearm purchases, which went into effect on April 1. Cook County stopped just short of adding a levy on ammunition. In February, Rep. Linda T. Sanchez, California Democrat, and 26 of the most uber-liberals in the House introduced a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code to create an excise tax of 10 percent on any concealable gun in order to empower Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. to establish a firearms buy-back grant program. Since the Newtown, Conn., school-shootings tragedy, anti- gun states across the nation have introduced similar measures.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

US President Restricts Ammo for Citizens

By Raquel Okyay - 6/23/2013

An international firearms dealer said the White House is blocking ammunition sales to American citizens as federal agencies continue to stockpile.

“There are elements in the United States government moving to obstruct commercial ammunition sales,” said Anthony MelĂ©, an international firearms dealer and owner of AMI Global Security, LLC. AGS is a defense trade and manufacturer’s exporter registered with the U.S. Department of Defense and the United Nations.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives denied AGS’s application for an ammunition-order by designating typical rifle rounds as armor piercing if they are made with a steel core instead of a lead core, he said. “They designated the ammunition AP, defined as armor piercing, even though the ammunition being supplied cannot pierce armor.”

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Venezuela enacts draconian firearms ban

By THE WASHINGTON TIMES - 6/19/2013

Anew law in Venezuela bans the sale of guns, requires universal gun registration and threatens to send violators to prison for 20 years. The law, which was “guaranteed” to save lives, was not the work of Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, nor was it suggested by President Obama, but the brainchild of the late Hugo Chavez and signed by his successor, President Nicolas Maduro. Venezuela enacts the dreams of American liberals.

Proponents expect gun violence to disappear from Venezuela now that the possession of a gun is allowed only with the government’s explicit permission. Mr. Maduro insists that weapons of war have absolutely no place on the streets. The law defines such “assault weapons” as any pistol that can fire a 9 mm or larger cartridge and any rifle firing anything larger than a .22 long rifle cartridge. Mrs. Feinstein is surely envious.

Friends of the Bolivarian Revolution may be granted a “hunting” exemption that allows them to keep a rifle or two, but under no circumstances will anyone have the right to possess nuclear, chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction. No H-bombs for the Venezuelan masses.

Monday, June 17, 2013

US House votes to exempt military from D.C. gun laws

By Emily Miller - 6/14/2013

The House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution Friday that expresses the sense of Congress that active duty military living or stationed in the District of Columbia should have the right to carry a gun.

The measure sponsored by Rep. Phil Gingrey, Georgia Republican, was passed by voice vote as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes the Pentagon’s budget for 2014. Mr. Gingrey has followed my series on active-duty veterans who have been thrown in jail for mere possession of unregistered guns or ammunition.

Friday, June 14, 2013

When "Zero-Tolerance" Makes "Zero-Sense"


6/14/2013

We've been reporting very regularly on ridiculous cases involving over-zealous school officials misinterpreting and wrongly enforcing "zero-tolerance" rules.

In March, we reported on an outrageous case of a seven-year-old Baltimore, Md. student who, according to a March 2, Daily Caller article, was suspended for two days for the nefarious act of shaping a breakfast pastry into what his teacher thought looked like a gun. Yes, a breakfast pastry.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Gun homicides: NH over New York City any day

6/11/2013

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is spending millions to attack Sen. Kelly Ayotte for opposing gun-control legislation Bloomberg likes. Bloomberg says tougher gun laws will reduce gun homicides. Has he ever compared his city’s gun murder rate with New Hampshire’s?

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Maryland Sheriff: New State Gun Law Against 2nd Amendment


By Celeste Dawn - 6/11/2013

A Maryland sheriff claims that the state’s new gun control law is unconstitutional and calls for county officials to support selective enforcement of the measure.

According to the Cumberland Times News, Garret County Sheriff Robert Corley expressed his discontent with the law at Tuesday’s county commissioners meeting, and offered a draft that would protect citizens’ rights.

Granny With a Gun Protects Vet Husband From Robber (And Apologizes for 'Cursing')

By Fox News Insider - 6/12/2013

A would-be robber was no match for a 72-year-old, strong-willed grandmother with a gun in Anaheim, Calif. But now, Jan Cooper is having to defend her actions after she fired her gun at an intruder in an attempt to protect her elderly WWII vet husband.

On a call to 911, a seemingly anxious Cooper can be heard telling the dispatcher, "I have no idea what's going on, but I don't like the sound of that dog. They're in our yard. I'm sorry."

Then, as the intruder opened the back door, she fired. "(gunshot) Back up, you (expletive)! Back up!"

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Right-to-Carry permit holder fights off three carjackers!

The Tribune Chronicle, Warren, Ohio - 06/07/13

23-year-old David Ferguson was inside South Avenue Gas Mart in Youngstown, Ohio, when he heard his cousin calling for him from outside the store. When Ferguson came outside he witnessed two men inside his car, and a third with a gun outside the vehicle firing at Ferguson’s cousin who was crawling on the ground. Ferguson, a Right-to-Carry permit holder, responded to the threat by drawing a 9mm pistol and firing at the carjackers; at which point the criminals returned fire and fled.

Ferguson and his cousin suffered non-life-threatening wounds during the incident.

Rounding up the guns... from little kids?



By Bobby Eberle - 5//1/2013

Here's the latest in the effort to get the guns. No, this isn't a story about banning so-called "assault" weapons (whatever those are) or "high-capacity" magazines (how high is too high?). This time we are talking about toy guns and a program one elementary school is using to get them away from kids.

I don't know about you, but when I was little, we played war, cowboys and indians, cops and robbers, and all sorts of games with toy guns. None of us freaked out, and none of us ever confused a plastic toy gun with a real one. We were PLAYING, but apparently these games are no longer politically correct, and some are saying the guns have to go.

Cool gear, firearms for the hot summer - 2013

By: Richard L. Johnson - 6/9/2013

As we start to roll into the hot season, let’s take a look at some of the cool gear available to shooters this summer.

MPAR 556

The MPAR 556 is a sub-$1,000 piston-driven AR-style rifle from MasterPiece Arms. It offers a host of features that many shooters will appreciate including a side-folding, adjustable-length buttstock, a full length Picatinny rail for the mounting of optics, a free floating handguard and a non-reciprocating, side-mounted charging handle.

The handguard is a proprietary design machined from high-grade aluminum. It allows the shooter to add varying lengths of Picatinny rails on the sides and bottom. The shooter can decide on what amount of rail is needed, and where, while leaving off unnecessary portions to save weight.

The barrel length is 16 inches and has a 1:9-inch twist. The barrel is threaded and ready for one of the MasterPiece Arms suppressors. Total weight is 7.8 pounds. MSRP is $999.

Rand CLP

A firearm is only good if it is running, and keeping your guns cleaned and lubed is one of the ways to make sure they will function properly. Rand Brands developed a new gun oil called the Rand CLP.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Guns and Grade-School Panic

By Brent Bozell - 5/10/2013

The specter of school shootings has brought a too-typical staple to local newspaper sections: the boys disciplined at (or suspended from) grade school for bringing a toy gun or anything resembling a gun.

The Washington Post just found the latest wild overreaction, from Calvert County, Md., a blue state that's cracked down on gun rights. "A kindergartner who brought a cowboy-style cap gun onto his Calvert County school bus was suspended for 10 days after showing a friend the orange-tipped toy, which he had tucked inside his backpack on his way to school," according to the family.

Resident Fights Off Two Armed Robbers

The Journal Gazette/ Fort Wayne, Ind - 5/4/2013

A resident of Fort Wayne, Ind. was near the front steps of his home when a pair of armed robbers approached and demanded money. The resident responded to the demand by retrieving a gun and firing at the criminals several times. One robber was struck multiple times and killed, while the other escaped harm.

Following the shooting, Sgt. Mark Brooks of the Fort Wayne police said of the incident, “If someone tried to rob you on your front porch… you could be justified in using force to protect yourself, including deadly force.” A neighbor, who plans to leave the troubled south-side neighborhood where the shooting occurred, showed support for the armed citizen, telling local media, “I carry a gun myself, and if it was me, I’d have done the same thing.”

Friday, June 7, 2013

Campus bans guns, tells people to "nod" at attackers - Seriously!?

By Robby Soave - 6/06/2013

In lieu of guns, people who find themselves in dangerous situations at or near the University of Arkansas at Little Rock should defend themselves by glancing and nodding, said a university safety expert.

Earlier this year, the Arkansas legislature approved a concealed carry law, but gave school administrators permission to override the law and ban guns on campuses. Most Arkansas universities, including the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University, opted to prohibit concealed carry, according to The College Fix.

But disarmed faculty and staff members are vulnerable to attack when traveling to and from campus, according to a chain of emails sent between UALR staff members, one of whom was assaulted by three teenagers on his way to class.

Nebraska school officials want boy named "Hunter" to change his name

Blog Moderator Comment:  Nebraska school officials want a boy named "Hunter" (who is deaf) to change his name because in sign language you "point your finger like a gun". And pointing your finger like a gun in  a ZERO TOLERANCE environment is "forbidden". . .you can't make this stuff up!


By Rick Jensen - 6/7/2013

Liberals believe in creating institutions to solve problems.

Conservatives believe the individual is better at solving problems.

A 3 year-old deaf boy in Lincoln, Nebraska is being bullied by public school officials to change his name because the hand sign for Hunter Spanjer looks like a weapon. The Grand Island school district has a policy that forbids kids bringing to school "any instrument ... that looks like a weapon." They can't change the sign, because it's the official hand sign for his name, registered through S.E.E., Sign Exact English.

Pressure from the National Association of the Deaf and the public has compelled the district into allowing the deaf boy to keep his name. Sadly, there is no humility or sense of shame from district authorities.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Excuse me... Did you just say Gun?

Moderator's Comment: This is one of many disciplinary actions now being taken against very young student's related to the 2nd Amendment.. .Whether it is the use of the word "gun", a pop tart (or piece of paper) in the shape of right angle (a gun?), a Lego gun the size of a quarter, or a pointed finger. . .children and "play" are being held hostage by anti-gun proponents in schools throughout the U.S. This is part of a growing war on the 2nd Amendment in the Bill of Rights.


By Bobby Eberle - 5/5/2013

Forget all about actual guns, cap guns, guns made from sticks, or even a drawing for a gun. Now, it appears that children can't even say the word "gun" or else risk getting in trouble not only with the school system but also with local law enforcement. That's exactly what happened to an 11-year-old boy who was telling a story and used the word "gun" in it.

As reported by WMAL in Maryland, "the father of a middle schooler in Calvert County, Md. says his 11-year-old son was suspended for 10 days for merely talking about guns on the bus ride home."

Bruce Henkelman of Huntingtown says his son, a sixth grader at Northern Middle School in Owings, was talking with friends about the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre when the bus driver hauled him back to school to be questioned by the principal, Darrel Prioleau.

"The principal told me that with what happened at Sandy Hook if you say the word 'gun' in my school you are going to get suspended for 10 days," Henkelman said in an interview with WMAL.com.

So what did the boy say? According to his father, he neither threatened nor bullied anyone.

Tough Gun Laws just don't work!

By Eileen Blass, USA TODAY - 5/6/2013

Anderson Baker lives in a state with a litany of gun regulations. But no law stopped him from becoming a teenage drug dealer who could easily acquire, and use, his weapon of choice.

The national debate in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., elementary school massacre has centered on the legislative approach to reducing gun violence: rein in assault rifles, downsize magazine clips, expand background checks and review mental health protocols. Baker says these types of measures would do little to stem violence that for decades has plagued this small city in the shadow of Philadelphia's skyline.

Dozens of frustrated city leaders, residents, law enforcement officials and other experts interviewed by USA TODAY echo the conclusion that the blood running in Camden's streets isn't just about gun laws.

"I wanted to shoot people because that's what I saw growing up," said Baker, 20, a Camden native who spent four years in jail after being involved in several shootings. "When I was younger, I would see my boys and cousins going into jail and when they got out, all the girls wanted them. So, I wanted to go to jail. I wanted to be like America's Most Wanted."

U.N. arms treaty a direct threat to American gun ownership

By Chris W. Cox - 06/03/13

Oxfam America has long served as a reliable cheerleader for nearly all misguided United Nations policy. However, Oxfam America President Raymond Offenheiser’s Friday op-ed (“President should ignore fear mongering and sign arms treaty”) is an exceptional illustration of this blind allegiance. Offenheiser wants us to simultaneously believe the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty is both the single most important tool to cracking down on war crimes and that the treaty has absolutely no teeth whatsoever. That’s twisted logic for sure. Here’s the truth.

Monday, June 3, 2013

Ten Reasons Why States Should Reject "Assault Weapon" and "Large" Magazine Bans

NRA-ILA Posting

Introduction: In the late 1980s, gun control groups realized that they had failed in their original goal­getting handguns banned1­and began campaigning against semi-automatic firearms they called “assault weapons,” most of which are rifles. As an anti-gun activist group put it:

[A]ssault weapons [will] strengthen the handgun restriction lobby for the following reasons: It will be a new topic in what has become to the press and public an “old” debate. . . . [H]andgun restriction consistently remains a non-issue with the vast majority of legislators, the press, and public. . . . Efforts to restrict assault weapons are more likely to succeed than those to restrict handguns. . . . Although the opportunity to restrict assault weapons exists, a question remains for the handgun restriction movement: How?”2

Gun control supporters demanding a ban on “assault weapons” have also demanded a ban on ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, most of which are designed for self-defense handguns. These gun and magazine bans should be rejected because:

Like. ..Rethinking the 2nd Amendment Entirely

By Deedee Freedberg - 06/03/2013

Has anybody serious actually read the 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution? Do it, and know a fair amount of history of the period, and strange things start happening to the political mind. Basically, the Amendment is ridiculously obsolete, like the powdered wigs worn by its adopters.

The NRA won't like to know that. Neither will the "originalists' who insist that the Constitution must be applied as its drafters intended some 226 years ago.

Here is actual text of the Amendment, which is part of the Bill of Rights drafted, chiefly by Virginia's James Madison:

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

What does this sentence mean ? What could it likely have meant, in 1787 ?

The Ultimate .45 - SIG P220?

By Richard L. Johnson - 6/1/2013

Get the pitchforks and torches folks, I’m going to commit firearms heresy. For my money the SIG P220 is the best .45 fighting pistol on the market. Yes…better than the 1911.

How can I suggest that something other than the 1911 is the best fighting handgun? After all, the 1911 is called the 1911 because that is the year the United States adopted it as the Army’s official sidearm. In addition to the great ergonomics and high manufacturing quality, the P220 is reliable. Absolutely reliable. And for a fighting handgun, reliability must be absolute.