Firearms: Tools for Freedom | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: We are please to add the words of North Carolina Senator Thom Goolsby to our stable of right-thinking and most capable writers here at BCN. In this timely past post, not yet published on BCN, we are exposed to the NC Senator's take on voter fraud, which is very real in North Carolina.

    Mahatma Gandhi is remembered as a man of peace because of his nonviolent revolution that ended British rule of India.

    It is less known that Gandhi also approved of violence for self-protection if necessary. In The Doctrine of the Sword, Gandhi wrote "I do believe that where there is only a choice between cowardice and violence, I would advise violence."

    In another one of his works, Between Cowardice and Violence, the father of modern India went on to say that a man who will not defend his family "must either hide himself or must rest content to live forever in helplessness and be prepared to crawl like a worm at the bidding of a bully...." These are tough words from a man known for his peacefulness. They need to be reiterated after the horrific school massacre in Connecticut.

    When a drunk driver slams into a school bus, killing multiple children, no one calls for the banning of cars. When a revolutionary throws a petrol bomb into a crowd, no one calls for the banning of gasoline. Neither cars nor gasoline were deemed important enough to warrant their own amendment to the Bill of Rights. We do, however, call for the punishment of drunk drivers and terrorists. Why after violent acts with a firearm do we always hear the hue and cry for gun bans?

    Is it because we don't truly understand the value that guns provide to society? There was a saying in the Old West that "God created man, Samuel Colt (the firearms maker) made them equal." There is a great deal of truth in this statement. Prior to the introduction of the modern firearm with its ease of use by anyone, strength and years of training were required to effectively wield a sword, spear or tomahawk. Firearms changed everything. Our founding fathers understood this important concept, not only for protecting liberty in our country, but also as Gandhi said, to prevent anyone from crawling like a worm at the bidding of a bully.

    Most Americans have no idea that the first gun laws in our country were instituted by the British to disarm the colonists when revolutionary fervor was in the air. The next attempt to control guns occurred in the late 1800s in an effort to prevent recently freed slaves from defending themselves from the likes of the Ku Klux Klan.

    It is sad that we live in a world where senseless violence can occur, taking the lives of the most innocent citizens at times. However, violence has been a fact of life since Cain raised a stone against his brother, Abel.

    Taking guns away from law-abiding citizens will serve and empower no one, except the common criminal or madman who pays no attention to our laws. Yes, we should and can deal with the issues of violence in society, as well as help treat those with mental disabilities. Addressing both of these problems should be the focus of our concern. Foolishly blaming an inanimate object such as a firearm that could just as easily defend an elderly person, single mom or disabled individual, makes no sense.

    It was Thomas Jefferson who said "No freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms." As this debate plays out in our state and nation, it will be up to us to decide whether we wish to continue to be empowered, free citizens or, as Gandhi said, worms.

    Thom Goolsby is a state senator, practicing attorney and law professor. He is a chairman of the Senate Judiciary 1 and Justice and Public Safety Committees.