MARCH 23, 2012
\nby Shannice Singletary ’14, Contributing Writer<\/p>\n
\u201cOur influence, our ability to protect the second amendment, comes from you . . . and if we don\u2019t renew those rights, then our rights will die out.\u201d<\/p>\n
National Rifle Association President David Keene\u2019s talk, titled \u201cGuns Save Lives,\u201d began with a focus on the importance of gun rights, as well as the personal responsibility that comes with those rights.\u00a0The\u00a0lecture was sponsored by Furman\u2019s Conservative Students for a Better Tomorrow and Allen Arms.<\/p>\n
Keene spoke on Tuesday to an audience of about 150 that was a blend of Furman students, community members and NRA members. His address seemed to appeal to the sensibilities of those with varying positions on gun rights.<\/p>\n
Keene stressed the importance of gun use in terms of personal security, protection of self and family, and the traditional American ideal of personal responsibility.<\/p>\n
\u201cPolice [don\u2019t] have an obligation to protect individuals, but the community. If they don\u2019t make it in time, you\u2019re on your own,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Keene was introduced by President Rob Smolla, whose introduction focused on a brief analysis of the 2nd Amendment, as well as the variety of ways the\u00a0amendment could be\u00a0interpreted. He also touched on how this interpretation has led to the enforcement or denouncement of individual gun rights.<\/p>\n
Keene\u00a0urged the audience to not denounce gun rights due to the usual negativity associated with those rights, such as issues with public safety and crime.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re dealing with criminals, deal with the criminal, not the tool,\u201d he said. \u201cThere are laws on the books that can be enforced to punish the criminal who uses the tool and not the tool itself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keene left the audience with a call\u00a0to more clearly examine the legal\u00a0\u201cassaults\u201d against the 2nd Amendment. He\u00a0explained\u00a0why we should care:\u00a0because these are\u00a0also attacks against individual rights.<\/p>\n
\u201cSecond Amendment decisions are vitally important . . .\u00a0to us, to all of us, not just members of the National Rifle Association, but to all Americans. Because what we\u2019re talking about is the fundamental character of this country as defined by the Constitution.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keene left the audience with one more tidbit that perhaps summarized and answered most of the caution surrounding public opinion of gun rights.<\/p>\n
\u201cProtecting gun rights does not mean that gun fights are going to break out.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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