But what the good Bishop, perhaps because of his experience and viewpoint as an American, may not have contemplated is the history of the world and the question:
What happens when the legitimate authority not only fails in its grave duty to defend those it is responsible for, but becomes the threat? This really does happen. The holocaust was real, the Soviet disarming and starvation of millions really did occur, the killing fields of Cambodia really did happen, etc. etc. I don’t believe those people were different than myself or those around me.
Who takes on that grave duty then? How can anyone step in if they have been stripped of the means?
And more importantly, would those tragedies have occurred if the general population had remained well armed?
The sheriffs are sworn, legitimate, protectors. Even though I don’t know the exact verbiage of their oaths, I know it’s to uphold and enforce the laws. They can’t legislate by what they will and won’t do.
Yes, those things you list did happen, but the only reason is seems that is brought up in this country is when an election takes place. We supposedly have the safeguards in place to prevent one person from setting themselves as a dictator. We began and have continued to operate under ‘majority rule.’ We have those who keep the government at bay, in this evil country, and then argue against immigration. The point being, people want to be here.
The grave duty in those evil instances fall under the just war teaching, of course some were humanitarian issues and no resources at stake.
As good as we have it here, we should thank God everyday, and not take this blessing for granted. We should be willing to share this goodness with all that come here, and those already here. We should be people of life and not those who fall into the cheapening of life as Cardinal Dolan ? Even though we may walk through the valley in the shadow of death, we shall fear no evil; why? Because He is with us, not because of anything we can do for ourselves.
There are people on this thread that fight any and all controls, often times minimizing the deaths of innocents while doing it, in my opinion. Let’s slow down the discussion and answer one question at a time. I’d like an honest answer to the following question, please.
How can background checks/registrations, for all sales, impede one’s ‘right’ to self defense?
I’m going to address your question, referencing the armed population. Even with ‘assault weapons,’ the government is far over matched with weaponry. We are not self sufficient enough to live without the grocery stores, drug stores, clothing stores, utilities, gas, etc., and the transports of all that. The majority of people are not going to put their families through an active war within these borders, not over the pettiness of partisanship. I remember the force used against the young people of the 60s, and they didn’t use any weapons, yet the government reared it’s head and put the people in place. Don’t think that our government wouldn’t unleash it’s power against those who would rise up against it; it would. While the action might be offensive, at the same time it would find support, and could change views at the same time; however, to use arms against this country could very well be the end of the right to bear arms, and at what cost to lives? There is always that collateral damage. Are we ready to put our families in that kind of danger? I think if it came down to it, people would seek peaceful solutions. A war among ourselves would weaken this country to a point of being an easy target for an outside aggressor .
