OpinionTrending Commentary

Defender Of The Second Amendment, But…

It is time for a compromise on gun rights.

Second Amendment proponents, of which I am one, will say that gun rights and ownership are absolute. That there should be no infringement under any circumstances. These people will go to the mattresses (a mafia term for newbies) before they will yield on any changes to the Second Amendment. People opposed to guns and the Second Amendment would like to go to the extremes of Beto O’Rourke and confiscate every gun owned by a private citizen. There is a reason that Beto does not hold office at any level, especially in his home state of Texas.

The events of the last two days in Lewiston, Maine, have given us a look at a flagrant flaw in gun ownership that most people on both sides agree needs to be addressed. Guns do not belong in the possession of an individual who has threatened individuals with death and is diagnosed with severe mental issues. This solution seems obvious, but because of the division between the two sides of this issue, it has never been brought to the table.

Let’s look at the case of Robert Card. Card is a forty-year-old man from Bowdoin, Maine. A 20-plus year member of the National Guard, a gun instructor, and a firearms expert, Card went on a shooting rampage in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday night, killing 13 and wounding over 25. There was no apparent motive, and Card shot people in two different venues. He served two weeks of psychiatric evaluation after threatening to shoot up the barracks at the National Guard Armory. On Wednesday, he snapped and gathered his guns and ammunition and set out to harm and kill strangers. We must find a balance between protecting the public from someone with mental health issues, possessing weapons, and their Constitutional rights.

Most states already have laws on the books to identify people with mental challenges. Most states have Red Flag Laws where family, friends, and people with first-hand knowledge can report an individual for evaluation and determination of the ability to possess weapons. Maine has Yellow-Flag Laws that allow the police to make the determination. These laws are only effective if utilized. In Card’s case, there were Yellow-Flag warnings on record that were not acted on. He is also a member of the National Guard and was in a military hospital for two weeks for evaluation. There was no procedure for cooperation and communication between the National Guard and local law enforcement. What needs to happen is the laws need to be implemented, and there must be action when someone fits the criteria of a danger to others.

The balance must be between suspending the right of someone identified as unstable or threatening to have access to their weapons and the right to own weapons granted by the Second Amendment. We are great at forensic autopsy after a mass shooting, and often, people will come forward with information about the perpetrator that, if known and acted on, we could save lives. This suspension of the right to own guns does not have to be permanent but should be subject to review by law enforcement and a review board that needs to be established. This process will need to be consistent and processed with care. We are modifying an individual’s constitutional rights, which should never be taken lightly, but the public has a right to safety and protection from those who would harm them.

The bottom line is we must be proactive and not reactive to situations. 13 people in Maine should be alive today. These folks went bowling or for a pint at their favorite pub and did not come home. Thirteen families are forever impacted because a person with mental issues had weapons and killed innocent people.

Content syndicated from ConservatriveViewFromNH.com with permission

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Ray Cardello

As a lifelong Conservative and resident of New Hampshire, Ray Cardello is positioned to speak with common sense about the happenings of the nation and the region. Conservative View from New Hampshire is Ray’s second blog and podcast effort in 20 years. He has published over 1,000 articles since January 2021, is syndicated on 15 websites, and is published on over 65 sites. Ray is passionate about his writing and sees the Internet as the only way for Conservatives to compete with the mainstream media. Ray claims there will be much to discuss as we move forward and his blog will not focus strictly on Washington but will also delve into State and Local issues as well. There is so much going on and so little factual sources of information to rely on.

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2 Comments

  1. I agree with you Ray to a degree. Mental health is usually the culprit to these mass shootings. I remember when most of the mentally unstable were in institutions but we have more on the street than in facilities these days. A trained professional should make that distinction and not common people who may have a grudge or personal vendetta against the person and lie to authorities. Secondly, if someone wants to kill someone there are a myriad of ways to do it. In Europe where guns are not permitted, they use knives or automobiles to kill with. We can’t outlaw automobiles and kitchen utensils because of someone being killed by them. And anyone can go “off the reservation” at any time with a mental break. Just look at the whole Biden Administration as a proving point and liberals for that matter. Many of them should be locked up for the things they are pushing in our Country! I know something has to change. Take away so called “assault rifles” and only the criminals and law enforcement will have them. Seeing that probably 90% or better law enforcement show up “after the crime has been committed” doesn’t bare well with the the law abiding citizen. I think real soon something else will take the minds of people off of taking away guns from those who follow the law such as a terrorist strike on America. With what’s going on in this country right now and with Israel and the open borders of the Biden Administration, who knows how many terrorist cells have already been established in this country. It’s just a matter of time. They are preparing and waiting for a big event I believe so they can make a worldwide statement. Something where there are thousands or tens of thousands of people gathered. A holiday celebration, Super Bowl where there will be the greatest carnage! They always want to create the greatest result with the least amount of effort. I feel for my grandchildren growing up in these times. I never would have dreamed ten years ago or even five years ago this country would be like it is today! With the anti-semitism and hatred of Christianity and other faiths are alarming to say the least. This country is teetering on a civil war I believe. The socialists are getting more and more aggressive to people who don’t see eye to eye with them. If they keep “poking the bear” something is bound to happen. God forbid!

  2. My right to protection is not granted to me by the second ammendment.
    GOD gave me that right..the 2nd amendment is in place to protect me from a tyrannical government or anyone else taking it away from me..
    It’s really pretty simple to understand..
    “SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED”
    Do you ever wonder why its the only amendment to have those words in its text?

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