Massachusetts Rep. Marjorie Decker believes it is a privilege to carry a firearm, not a right. (Photo: SHNS)
Carrying a firearm is a privilege. It is a gift from government. Did you know that? Cuz I sure as heck didn’t.
I was always under the impression that we had a right to keep and bear arms. That that right was protected by something called the Constitution. And that the purpose of that founding document was to keep the government’s grubby hands off our basic rights.
I guess I was wrong, though. Because according to Massachusetts Rep. Marjorie Decker, bearing arms is a “privilege” in America.
“It is a privilege that we allow individuals to hold onto something that causes harm and death,” the Cambridge Democrat said at a Public Safety Hearing last Thursday. “It is a privilege to have a car license, it is a privilege to have a gun license.”
Well, that clarifies things, doesn’t it? They allow us to carry firearms. If that statement doesn’t send you up a wall, I don’t know what will.
SEE ALSO: Massachusetts Gun Owners Rally in Opposition to ‘Copycat’ Gun Ban
Local gun rights advocate Jim Wallace told The Greenfield Recorder that Decker’s statement is characteristic of Bay State leadership.
“One of the problems that we face here in Massachusetts is that the Second Amendment is barely recognized in the state as a whole and certainly not as a civil right. I could not have asked for a better witness to that than the previous legislator that actually described our civil rights as a privilege,” said Wallace, executive director of the Gun Owners Action League (GOAL).
“I am aghast that an elected official would actually say that … but that’s not unusual,” he added.
Tyrants have ruled Massachusetts for some time now. Case in point, state Attorney General Maura Healey. Back in July of 2016, she put an end to the sale of black rifles with the stroke of a pen. State-compliant rifles that were legal to sell one day were deemed unlawful to sell the very next.
Healey also launched a “consumer safety” investigation into various firearms manufacturers, including Glock and Remington. It was another way to put the gun industry on notice. Your products aren’t welcome here.
And then, of course, just last week the Legislature enacted a ban on bump stocks and trigger cranks.
Any politician from Cambridge should be considered a domestic terrorist. Blue Dog is a puppet and a slave.
I see many instances where those for and against gun ownership still don’t realize what they are saying about gun ownership and possession is not true or accurate. It’s as if their powers of reason have failed, even after reading the 2A, if they ever have.
The 2A is part of the Bill of Rights, making it an unalterable guarantee for the people, and is a restraint on government at any level, not simply a matter of opinion. There are no exceptions in the 2A, plain and simple.
The Constitution was written so that those with only an eighth-grade education could understand it’s true meaning. “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed” means what it says and no one can change its simple message.
The 2A does not talk about waiting periods, registration, magazine capacity or permits to keep and bear, etc. Politicians and others in positions of power may not alter our God-given unalienable rights to self-protection unless you volunteer to surrender them. Once the 2A is properly understood by Americans, it all actually comes down to the right of personal choice, and to none other. The lies and half-truths spoken by ignorant tyrants are too often believed by the deceitful and enemies of freedom. Common sense is not so common as it once was.
If ys not the bill of privileges or us the bill of rights. These democrats make me nuts
Stupid is, Stupid does.
IMNSHO, Unfortunately, in Mass., state of confusion, the “commonwealth” views its residents as “subjects” not citizens. Subject to the whims of the Rich and Powerful few. Hence the reason, the streets of its cities ooze with the criminal element, drug dealers, drug addicted prostitutes and armed robbers. Its subjects faint at the sight of an open carried Buck knife. And do not expect a fair shake in their courts of law. FID, Firearm Identification, cards went from being lifetime free to the big business, having to be renewed like a driver’s license costing more than some average people can afford.
Soo sad that Boston and Mass had such a role in America’s independence – only to de-evolve into what they have become today. So glad my work-related travel days are long over – no more need to EVER to spend a dime in places like MA, MD, CA, NY, IL, CT, HI again.
Complete idiots are too stupid to recognize the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written TO PROTECT AGAINST tyranny and despotic government and FOR FREEDOM AND THE GOD-GIVEN INALIENABLE RIGHTS OF MANKIND ! ! ! Throw these out the window and yet people still have inalienable RIGHTS TO SELF-PROTECTION AND SURVIVAL INSTILLED IN EVERY LIVING CREATURE AND MANY PLANTS BY THE CREATOR ! ! ! RIGHTS NO MAN OR GOVERMENT CAN INSTALL OR TAKE AWAY ! ! ! Hell, even germs will mutate against antibiotics for survival . . . and explain why the human species has banded together for protection against enemies since crawling out of the cave and why about 22% of today’s national budget goes TO DEFENSE SPENDING ! ! ! Yet the petty tinhorn wannabe dictators, despots and tyrants ARE COWARDS ENOUGH TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS PROTECTION BUT FOOLS ENOUGH TO SAY NATIONAL GROUPS CAN DEFEND THEMSELVES, BUT INDIVIDUALS WITHIN HAVE NO RIGHT TO DO THE SAME !
It’s all about freedom and RIGHTS folks, and LIFE-CONTROL from the dastardly bastards who would like to control who lives and who dies ! ! ! Privilege and not a right ? ? ? Privilege and not a right ? ? ? These pathetics spouting this embarrassing b.s. would be shamed to oblivion were it for their equally low i.q.s correlated with a corresponding ultra-inflated ego and devious politics to try to hoodwink the well-knowing citizenry. Pitiful and painfully pathetic . . .
This is typical of the ignorance in the Northeast,,,,
She OBVIOUSLY needs to read our Constitution ! !
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. ! ! !
the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. ! ! !
the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. ! ! !
How about banning idiot commenter, “blue dog?” (see his remarks below)
Among other stupid statements, he says we citizens “serve” the government. That pretty much sums up his thinking, and imo proves he just does not belong here.
Just because you have problems comprehending what blue dog says or don’t like the logic of his statement doesn’t make his statement untrue or anti American . Actually he speaks volumes and his logic seems precise.
Oh. She thinks having a gun license is a privilege? Really? If she is correct then why is the 2nd amendment part of the Bill Od RIGHTS??? Serving in congress is a privilege; so is driving a car.Owning a gun is a RIGHT, lady. You should be ashamed of your ignorance of the document you swore to uphold.
Driving a car is NOT a privilege. Driving on a public highway IS a privilege. We have to be specific in these areas because so many “politically correct” types utter terms that are just false. I can drive a car at a track, at a drag strip, or in the field behind my house without any governmental control whatsoever. Same with guns, free speech, religion, due process, etc. etc.
Do not fall into the trap of thinking the government can mandate your behavior. In the cars example, you do NOT have to have insurance, registration, or a driver’s license to operate or own a car, UNLESS you choose to operate it on a public highway. Let’s all agree to keep the record straight and not fall into the trap set by these left wing zealots.
I live in California and this is how it is supposed to work here: (1) “driving” is a commercial word and is a privilege when using the highways for commercial gain. Also, driving a “motor vehicle” is a commercial term and requires a license. (2) “traveling” is a right while using an automobile.
As long as your activity is for personal use, there is no license required. Doing anything of a commercial nature on a public highway requires permission from the state government. In Kalifornia all use is presumed to be of a commercial nature. If you “drive” w/o registration, driver license or proof of insurance, you may be arrested, car impounded and penal fees charged to get you and your car returned to you. It is nearly impossible to correct your political and legal status in order to avoid these forms of unlawful tyranny.
At what point rebellion? Our founders went to war for a tax on tea ( a soft drink tax now days)….Maybe the powers that be need a reminder of what the 2A is for and a reminder that America gets BLOODY AND MEAN when they come for our freedoms or rights. We have gone so far off our true course of freedom, chipped away bit by bit for “safety”… freedom isn’t safe my friends… it’s freedom.
LOL…There is a RIGHT………TO VOTE…To choose WHO will serve THE PEOPLE and NOT have the people SERVE the elected…As for the 2nd Amendment…IT IS A RIGHT…NOT GRANTED BY the government……..BUT TO KEEP THE ELECTED IN THEIR PLACE…..
Rebellion? When will we stand together against oppressive govt?
Mass. Should be fighting. Not arguing.
Yes, there is a so-called “right” to vote in the Constitution, but in my state, you must “register” to vote. By registering to vote you are asked if you are a US citizen (twice) and by saying yes, you are swearing under penalty of perjury, that you are a federal US citizen. Your so-called “right” to vote has now become a “civil right” and is no longer a Constitutional right. Civil rights are so-called “rights” from the government and not any higher power. Can you think of any other “RIGHT” that you are required to register for? All of the rights protected by the Constitutional Bill of Rights require no registering before exercising them.
There are several us supreme Court cases that clearly say once a citizen has taken a privilege from government, their status changes from “Citizen” to subject. Look in your thesaurus and see another name for subject is slave. Once you volunteer to become a state subject you incur civil duties ie: paying taxes, jury duty, obtaining licenses and permits, etc. By registering and voting you are accepting a benefit and they never give something for nothing. This may sound very weird but worth looking into.
owning a gun is a right granted by the Constitution– carrying one in today’s worlds is not a right, but privledge granted by the state’s rights to do so..-the Federal Government doesn’t regulate carry permits-i’m sure she’s a jackass -libtard– blindly believing the Second Amendment grants that as a right is foolish..not in today’s world-
The United States Constitution did not grant anyone any rights. The People delegated some of their rights and responsibilities to the new Federal Government and to the States. Those rights and responsibilities not specifically granted to the Federal government are reserved to the States and/or the People respectively. The Constitution is a contract between the governed and the government.
In order for the Constitution to gain ratification by the States, ten amendments were added, known as the Bill of Rights. These rights recognized and illuminated the pre-existing Rights of the People, that were endowed upon us by our Creator and the Rights we enjoyed as Free Englishmen before the formation of the Independent 13 States. Our Rights not only pre-date the founding of the Federal Government, they also can not be taken away or infringed by the Federal or States Governments without due process of law, such as a court trial, etc. Since the government did not grant us our Rights they have no power to take them away legally.
The right to Keep and Bare Arms means the right to own, use, possess and purchase military arms and ammunition. The Right to Bear Arms means to carry and use arms for lawful purposes including the killing of enemies both foreign and domestic. Shall Not Be Infringed means that the Federal Government can not legally restrict the ownership and use of arms, provided they are used for lawful purposes by free citizens of the Republic. Laws enacted in contravention to the Constitution are illegal.
The actual “Shots Heard Around the World” at Lexington and Concord, which marked the beginning of armed resistance to Britain occurred not because of taxes, restrictions upon speech, government corruption or other oppression, etc. The armed rebellion was in direct response to the Crown’s attempt to seize lawfully possessed arms and ammunition, as it was the British intent that all arms be taken away to make it easier to quell rebellion in the colonies. Americans fought and died to preserve their Right to Keep and Bare Arms, because without the ability to resist tyranny by force of arms, our founders knew they would never be truly free.
The fact that some or most Americans don’t know this is both shameful and indicative of the success of the statists and socialists in out educational system.
There are some people – specifically a retired judge named Napolitano who noted that the “Heller” decision by the Supreme Court mentioned “THE right to bear arms”, and the court’s wording implies that the 2nd amendment right we have is a “pre-political” right; that is it existed before government therefore it cannot be eliminated by government. It ranks up there with the right to breathe, to speak, to worship. These rights exist in the absence of government and are therefore outside the control of government.
When it comes to dealing with the government things seldom go as expected. We all should know that the Bill of Rights gives no rights to Americans, but only guarantees them. The rights enumerated therein are not given by the government, true rights come from God, the government cannot give what they do not have, contrary to popular opinion.
Anything that infringes on …” the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed” is totally unconstitutional. If you are prevented from keeping and bearing arms by any type of restriction, that is unconstitutional.
Many courts think they have the power to set aside any part of the second amendment as they see fit, but the courts cannot overrule the US Constitution. Wrong is wrong, very simple. They know this and realize the average gun owner cannot afford the legal fees to purchase justice. That’s what is meant by freedom isn’t free.
The license to drive a car is a privilege. I guess she didn’t read the part in the Constitution about the “RIGHT” to bear arms.
I think it is in there somewhere, right up there near the front of the line, NO?
The ability to drive and operate a motor vehicle is a “Privilege” simply because government has deemed it to be so. Is the right to walk on the sidewalk or operate a horse and buggy on the public roads also a privilege? What about the right to travel, say in a boat or on a plane? Not to operate, but just to travel in a plane or a boat. Are these rights or privileges?
Who decided that all cars, boats and airplanes needed to be licensed, registered, insured and that licenses were required to operate them? This certainly wasn’t the case in the horse and buggy days or with sailing ships and steam boats?
Why can’t you simply own property without being taxed. Especially if you live in a rural area and don’t have any public utilities or services associated with your property. Refuse to pay and they take away your property. So do you really own it or are you simply a conditional owner living by the government’s leave and dependant on their good graces?
Be careful how easily you accept what is, rather than question if it should be. Slavery and Tyranny are first created in the minds of men, before they are actually implemented.
Nope…got that one backwards…your job is to uphold all constitutional laws and as far as privilege is concerned…you’ve been given the privilege to serve, a privilege you’ll soon loose if you keep that attitude toward the constitution you swore to uphold. The general rule is that an unconstitutional statute, though having the form and name of law, is in reality no law, but is wholly void, and ineffective for any purpose; since unconstitutionality dates from the time of its enactment, and not merely from the date of the decision so branding it. An unconstitutional law, in legal contemplation, is as inoperative as if it had never been passed. Such a statute leaves the question that it purports to settle just as it would be had the statute not been enacted.
Since an unconstitutional law is void, the general principles follow that it imposes no duties, confers no rights, creates no office, bestows no power or authority on anyone, affords no protection, and justifies no acts performed under it …
A void act cannot be legally consistent with a valid one. An unconstitutional law cannot operate to supersede any existing valid law. Indeed, insofar as a statute runs counter to the fundamental law of the land, it is superseded thereby.
No one is bound to obey an unconstitutional law and no courts are bound to enforce it. — Sixteenth American Jurisprudence, Second Edition, Section 177
When I saw the title to this article, and it didn’t specify the lawmaker’s gender, I thought to myself bet its a Title Nine b___h. I was right. These female political morons not only shouldn’ t be elected to office. They shouldn’t be allowed to vote. They’re parlor effete fifth column communists, and actual enemies of this land’s political system. When are we going to start enforcing sedition and treason laws on them?
I guess as soon as the electorate quits electing the likes of fienstein, pelosi & frankenstein?
Something I like to preach to my friends… the things these people say are only words. They aren’t actions. If they outlawed our guns and none of us turn them over, we’re all outlaws then. They can’t arrest all of us, and nobody is gonna be the first to start a door-to-door gun removal campaign cause they probably don’t wanna be the first to die (I know I wouldn’t). It really is that simple. No matter what b.s. legislation they try and pass, we are STILL ARMED and I myself live by the words of the great Mr. Heston… “from my cold dead hands” we need to get back to the basics folks.
I live in Massachusetts…been dealing with the backwards gun laws here since 1993 when i first got my license to carry. 1st: MA is a MAY ISSUE state when it comes to gun licenses. It is not a SHALL ISSUE state like the rest of the country, that means you have to prove to a police chief that you have a need to carry a gun. if they say no, you can appeal to a judge, but after that you are out of luck. In 1994 , the AWB put a 10 round limit on magazines, which we still have to this day. between 1994 and 1998 they banned Glock and others from selling here due to a 10 lb, trigger pull rule& and loaded chamber indicator rule. Just last year, they banned copycat assuault weapons, meaning NO more AK47,AR15’s .
Its not a priviledge its an absoulute right, given by God almighty and backed by the 2nd amendment, Just like driving is an absolute right without a license, unless you are doing commerce. But I would not expect someone that does not think freely or uses their time to learn so keep babbling on with the nonsense and those so called priviledges that make you feel good or special. I feel special knowing that God almighty has given me free will and all the rights that man needs on earth, Knowing that all governments take them away, some more then others.
It is time to insist that any candidate for public office be required to pass the same civics test as candidates for citizenship have done for years.
Frigging communist broad sits in a lawmakers chair and doesn’t know the difference between a privilege which would be your drivers license and a right which would be our Second Amendment Constitutional Right.
Right, privilege or entitlement ?
Words and meanings totally different.
Right is something born with.
If given, can be taken away, then not a right.
Privilege is something you are allowed to do.
Entitlement is something you have earned.
The right to bear arms is neither absolute nor universal. Several specific categories of individuals cannot purchase, own or possess firearms, including felons and those with misdemeanor convictions of domestic violence, like the Sutherlands Springs shooter from several weeks ago. There are places into which even licensed carriers of firearms are not allowed to carry their weapons, like bars, government buildings and banks. Carrying a firearm is a right but is subject to abrogation by the government in the interest of public safety (and the perception of public safety is a public safety issue, too).
Any other civil right has its limits. Voting is as much a core civil right as any other and felons are not allowed to vote, Virginia aside. Search and seizure protections don’t seem to extend to the airport or any jurisdiction that employs stop and frisk tactics. The Freedom of Speech doesn’t cover hate speech. Constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment cease to apply when you get labeled a terrorist and shipped offshores. Freedom is not free and liberty is hard and knowing where the boundaries are between your rights as an individual and our rights as a collective people is the essence of civics and that is why the government we all serve, as Americans, can abridge certain rights in the interest of public safety.
wrong. does “shall not be infringed” ring a bell?
do any other rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights have “…and shall not be infringed” on them? no? so that one must have been especially important!
“The government we all serve”
Sums up your whole post.
Everytime.
We the people do not serve our government. Some people, however, have taken jobs in government and have thus chosen to be public servants. The government serves us — not the other way around.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America”
.”We The People” “the people” mentioned many times in the Bill of Rights. words were very specific and chosen, notice the word Ordain, meaning to: decree, rule, order, command, enjoin, lay/set down, establish, dictate, legislate, prescribe, pronounce.
The 2md, “shall not be infringed” yet it is the most infringed upon human right!
In the 9th amendment, you will find another right of absolution.for all the rest and more, “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people”
You are confusing Safety for Control, just like the liberals are trying to teach, as even the anti-gun groups have changed their talking point from gun control to gun safety but everyone with half a brain knows better!
Anyone, just like a Preacher can take a verse from the Bible and make it mean different things to suit his dialog, doesn’t mean it actually changes the real meaning of the verse when taking in context with the rest of the Bible. Anyone can twist words but all of our fore fathers were far more intelligent than any of these political buffoons today. They knew this time was coming and that is why,”shall not be infringed” is there!
Your misunderstanding or lack of education into the context and/or delusion is sad.
If it’s misunderstanding of the constitution and specifically the bill of rights please try and educate yourself by reading the federalist papers. If it’s a delusion situation please seek psychological help.
Most everything you say is incorrect and pronounced legal because laws have been passed that are a violation of the letter and meaning of the bill of rights and constitution.
Perhaps you went to school in Moscow, or New York, but freedom of speech DOES indeed protect “hate” speech. There are exceptions for incitement to violence.
In the Federal 1968 Gun Control Act, Convicted Felons were prohibited from possessing weapons, even after fully serving their sentences. Is this justice. Most Felons also lose their right to vote and to travel abroad. If their debt to society is paid, why are their rights not fully restored upon release?
Same question for Domestic Violence Misdemeanors. If these people are so dangerous, charge them with felonies, lock them up, take away their right to vote, etc.
“There are places into which even licensed carriers of firearms are not allowed to carry their weapons, like bars, government buildings and banks. Carrying a firearm is a right but is subject to abrogation by the government in the interest of public safety (and the perception of public safety is a public safety issue, too).” – Attending the Police Academy or being born on the planet Krypton does not give you special rights. Just because rights are currently infringed does not mean it is right and proper to do so. In Arizona, other than in a court building, I can legally carry in the places you detailed, either openly or concealed. Honest citizens pose zero threat to public safety and criminals don’t obey the law, therefore all of these little regulations and laws only impact the good people in our society, so what is the point?
About what I’d expect from a Yankee woman who knows guns about as much as I do about nuclear physics!I guess before it’s over,she’ll consider that it’s a right to breathe. I sure am glad I live in the South!
Anyone wanna bet that Ms. Decker has no idea what the Constitution is, what’s in it, or the Bill of Rights for that matter. Government does not grant rights, it protects them. Decker is the epitome of a liberal; abhors the Constitution and hates individual rights.
and just like all privileges…can be easily removed by govt…..just like your mom did to you when she walked in on you in the bathroom….no more privileges mister!
This is the fucked up mentality of anti-American libtards.
In their Socialistic government, I suppose it is, but not in the government that I elect.