Since I grew up on a farm, being around guns, owning my own guns and hunting were important parts of my life. On many an afternoon, I would come home from school, get my dog, King, and head out to hunt squirrels or rabbits. My precious Mother would cook anything I caught.

I have hunted and owned guns all my life. Gun ownership is just a natural thing to me.

Although I'm not convinced that we should even be required to have carry permits, my wife, Pamper, and I both have them. I've had mine many years. She has had hers since 2006.

I will never forget how proud I was of her when she decided to get a permit. I went with her to her class. She was the only woman in the class. When she did her shooting, her pattern was smaller than mine, and I strutted around there like a proud husband. Several guys asked me in disbelief, "Is that your wife?" I told them I was going to fire the alarm company that protects our house and just put her pattern up by the front door.

The Second Amendment to the Constitution is clear. It reads, "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."

Liberals (and even some fellow Republicans) seem to believe that this amendment relates to hunting.
But, as much fun as hunting is, this amendment is not about hunting.
The Second Amendment is about being able to defend our freedoms, even against a tyrannical Government if necessary.

Occasionally, folks ask me when we are going to need to get the guns out. I always tell them not yet. We need a revolution in the Halls of Congress first. We need to send the right people to Washington who can provide 'real' leadership and try to get this ship turned around. Violence should always be a last resort just as it was for our Founding Fathers.

I hope folks are ready to take the political process seriously so we don't have to get the guns out ever again in America.

I have drawn a line in the sand about Second Amendment rights. If you send me to Congress, I will absolutely protect our freedoms and our rights to keep and bear arms. I will not give up my guns.

Tommy Crangle
3rd District Republican Congressional candidate

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Mr Crangle, I read your article you wrote on guns and about the
constitution. I have never heard any one explain the second amendment better. I also have hunted all my line or most of it (I am seventy years old). I still would
except I have trouble walking long distances and on rough ground.

The thing about it is if people would open their eyes and be aware of what is going on in their government America would not be in the shape it is in.

Anyone, and I mean anyone, that violates one rule of the constitution should be impeached period. This country is supposed to be governed by the constitution; that is one of the many things that keep us free (free so far). I commend you on
your article.

Bud Mansel
Bud9391@wmconnect.com

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Mr. Crangle,

I certainly think that you should be able to continue to shoot and eat all the rabbits and squirrels you want. Which "well-regulated militia" do you belong to? Since you are not convinced that you should even be required to have a carry permit, are we to assume that you have overlooked this important part of the 2nd amendment?

Michael Lawrence

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Mr. Lawrence,

I am a member of the militia described in the the U.S. Code TITLE 10 > Subtitle A > PART I > CHAPTER 13 > § 311. I suggest you look it up. Also, it has been determined that the Bill of Rights are individual rights, not collective ones.

Mike Willingham

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Why is this old straw man argument continually brought up by the pro-gun crowd?

Let's get this straight ... nobody is coming to take your guns. The 2nd amendment stands. The Supreme Court has ruled that you can keep your guns. There are no plans by President Obama or anybody else to reverse current laws. And yet the right-wingers keep trying to use this fear tactic to win votes.

I'd rather see the candidates talk about real issues like jobs rather than trying to pander to the electorate with nonsense about having your guns taken away, gay marriage, illegal aliens, race-baiting or whatever other issues that they think will get people to the polls.

Bret Douglas
bretdouglas@live.com

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"Occasionally, folks ask me when we are going to need to get the guns out. I always tell them not yet. We need a revolution in the Halls of Congress first. We need to send the right people to Washington who can provide 'real' leadership and try to get this ship turned around. Violence should always be a last resort just as it was for our Founding Fathers."

Sounds like you are saying that if we do not elect you to start the "revolution in the Halls of Congress" then it might be time to get out our guns? Here's a unique slogan: Elect me or start shooting.

I too believe in the right to bear arms to protect oneself from intruders, a tyrannical government and put dinner on the table. But until learn to love squirrel or see the brown shirts goose stepping past my street, I think I mostly need my guns to protect my family from those "folks" you're hanging out with who are waiting on a green light to start blasting away.

Chris Glascock

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Mr. Bret Douglas,
Both of those Supreme Court decisions were decided 5-4. That means four of the nine did not think that an individual had the right to keep and bear arms. Tell me what you think would happen if the results were reversed.

Now look who is up for selection to the Supreme Court. Do you think that lady will side with people having that right to keep and bear arms?

Brian Foley

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I don't believe any of the supreme court rulings against cities gun bans is considered universal. So gun bans are still possible. And there are those who support gun bans by saying that the constitution only guaranteed the right of states to arm militias - that individuals do not have the right to own a gun.

When I think of the time the constitution was written - the militias only argument seems pretty absurd. This was a time when the vast majority of people were rural and had to provide their own food - including hunting for game. And these were times when we didn't exactly get along with others - English, French, Spanish, or Native Americans. Individuals had to defend themselves.

We are finding out more and more - what is written in the constitution isn't what matters most. What matters most is the judge or judges who interpret what is written.

Tim Lawson