Michael Moore’s attack on 2nd Amendment proves why we need it
Filmmaker Michael Moore last week proposed a “28th Amendment" designed to “repeal and replace the Second Amendment.” His proposed 8-section amendment grants Americans “The inalienable right of a free people to be kept safe from gun violence and fear.”
While some claim the Second Amendment was born out of a need for self-defense, it was adopted to provide a safeguard against tyranny - to allow Americans a last stand should their government seize too much power.
But to Michael Moore, a power seizure by the government is exactly what we need, for our own good.
The film director began by suggesting that “Congress shall create a mandatory system of firearm registration and licensing” for specified purposes such as game hunting and “for the few who can demonstrate a special need for personal protection.” Those few must be at least 25 years old.
Moore then lays out a “strict vetting process” and demands the government decide which guns may be owned.
“Congress will stipulate and continually update the limited list of approved firearms for civilian use, including weapons in the future that are not yet invented,” he wrote. He then advocated banning a list of weapons, including 3D printers which can print guns.
Moore continued to assign power to the government.
“Congress shall regulate all ammunition, capacity of ammunition, the storage of guns, gun locks, gun sights, body armor and the sale and distribution of such items. No weapons of any kind whose sole intention is the premeditated elimination of human life are considered legal.”
The artist then gave the government blanket power to create any future restrictions regarding civilian ownership of weapons – and in doing so, cast doubt on whether he has read the Second Amendment at all.
“Congress may create future restrictions as this amendment specifically does not grant any American the ‘right’ to own any weapon.”
Unbeknownst to Moore, neither does the Second Amendment, which guarantees that “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” The Constitution's framers were careful not to grant people the right to arms, because it is not the government’s right to grant. In fact, according to the Framers, government does not grant any rights to citizens. Only the Creator grants rights.
Police, according to Moore, should be dismissed upon any “violent or racist behavior.”
Finally, Moore proposes the government seize firearms from American citizens.
“Persons already owning any of the above banned firearms, and who do not fall into the legal groups of restricted firearms owners, will have one month from the ratification of this Amendment to turn in their firearms for destruction by local law enforcement.”
As the saying goes, you only get to vote for socialism once.
In a July 4th oration following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Moore pledged to forfeit his U.S. citizenship “privileges”, though he did not specify what he would be giving up.
