There are people in our society who claim to value freedom and democracy, but who vote differently either by ballot or by letting their dollars do the talking. It happens in every election. They beat their chests and run to the press claiming to stand for American values, but then support candidates who are transparent in their attempts to gut the Bill of Rights.
Don’t be fooled—the anti-gun movement and their pro-confiscation politicians are well-funded. Billionaires like George Soros and Michael Bloomberg gave more money to anti-Second Amendment politicians in 2020 alone than most families will make in a lifetime. They might slow their spending some in the years between presidential elections, but they will still dole out enough to threaten candidates who cherish liberty at every level of government—yes, even down to city and county seats. They never rest. In fact, they are ceaselessly strategizing and expanding gun-control plans while claiming to support the principles of democracy and human rights.
The American Constitution and Bill of Rights are exceptional. At their creation, they were shining beacons of freedom the likes of which had never been seen in history. The Bill of Rights in particular was written to enumerate the natural rights of the people—these are not rights granted by the government, but granted by our maker. These rights are inherent for each person regardless of anyone’s opinion on them. The Founding Fathers listed these natural rights to further emphasize that the government shall not legally trample on them.
You don’t need to personally like guns to appreciate how an armed society upholds the values of democracy—not just in America, but in all freedom-loving corners of the globe.
One of the most important of these rights, of course, is the one we fight for daily at the NRA: the right to keep and bear arms for self-defense and the defense of our country. The Founding Fathers included it in the Bill of Rights because they were intelligent, well-read men who knew history, and were willing to give their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to defend their actions. They knew that arms control was about centralizing power and controlling people.
You don’t need to personally like guns to appreciate how an armed society upholds the values of democracy—not just in America, but in all freedom-loving corners of the globe. Many seem to think that the kinds of things tyrants like Hitler and Stalin have done couldn’t happen today, but nothing could be further from the truth, as we have witnessed in many places around the world. Arms are the deterrent that allows free societies to flourish. The notion that “nothing stops a bad guy with a gun like a good guy with a gun” is understood in war and peace. Freedom fighters all over the world depend on Americans to lead the way in defending basic civil rights.
If these billionaire donors actually care about democracy, freedom and human rights, they should be using their resources to support the protection of our unique American Bill of Rights. Instead, it won’t take much vigilance on anyone’s part to spot them as they back every new gun-control measure and gun-grabbing political candidate they can possibly fund. If it’s the destruction of our republic they seek, then they will throw more and more money toward that effort.
The good news is that NRA members are paying attention, and we vote. As Edmund Burke said: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” I hope you all will heed those words and never give up on our rights.
We must stay alert, watch those who threaten our Second Amendment and fight them every step of the way, even as we face the most vicious and baseless attacks from opponents of freedom. Visit nraila.org to stay informed and involved. As you know, numbers matter in this fight, so talk to those around you about the importance of joining the NRA. As I always say, and deeply feel, we have a country to save. Freedom must stand, and preserving the Second Amendment in this country will ensure that it does!
