My last post makes it sound like the only alternatives of action in the face of terrorism are either capitulation or tyranny. I do not believe this at all.
Rather, I believe that the solution to the problem of terrorism lies not in the hands of the American government, but in the hands of the American people.
What I would be happy to see (so happy in fact that I might even move back to my beloved homeland), is for every federal law to be stricken from the books which violates the eighth, sixth, fifth, fourth, and second amendments.
In addition, I would like to see the second amendment utilized in such a way as to actually create a “well-regulated militia,” that is to say a well-armed, well trained civilian population who is equipped physically, mentally and legally to fight terrorism within the borders of the United States wherever it may occur.
There would be no need to “arm the populace:” the populace is already armed. Simply make it possible for every adult citizen of good moral character and good standing within his or her community to obtain the training necessary to identify and intercept a terrorist or criminal before the latter is able to commit an act of terror or crime. The cost would be a fraction of what it costs to train and maintain an army to mop up other people’s messes (and our own) a half a world away.
Beyond cost-effectiveness, however, it makes strategic sense. The aim of terrorism is to destabilize a society by instilling terror (hence the name) in the general population, who then begs protection from the government, which inevitably overreacts and becomes progressively heavy-handed.
The target of terrorism is the government, but its victims are civilians. Forge a citizenry incapable of being terrorized (a nation of Todd Beamers, if you will), and by definition you end terrorism.
Here I will concede the floor to the late Col. Jeff Cooper, who says practically the same thing more eloquently than I am capable. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Jeff Cooper, this is the man who invented the modern technique of firearm handling, who was throughout his life an outspoken champion of personal liberty AND personal responsibility (the one being impossible without the other). In this piece, he uses our Jeff’s hated Ben Franklin quote, so I am proud to say that, like me, he is a jackass as well.
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[i]"We have the problem [of terrorism]; never mind why. What shall we do about it? In a socialist atmosphere, the immediate response is to hand the problem to the state. Pass a law! Any law. Just so you can say that something has been done. And above all, spend money. We have come to assume that the more money we spend on a problem, the quicker it will go away.
Now it is quite true that the state can indeed abolish extortion, terrorism, and crime. History offers many examples of nations in which none of these things existed. We can start with Senacherib of Assyria and browse on up to Porfirio Diaz of Mexico. An iron fist will do it. That’s the state’s simple and effective answer to disorderly conduct. If you want it arranged so that the state will protect you, you can do so. What you give up in return is your liberty.
No deal.
The man to protect you is you. Not the state, not the agent of the state, and not your hired hand–YOU!
How often is our intelligence insulted by the fatuous claim that we should rely on the police for our physical security! I cannot believe that the people who advance this idea believe it themselves. The police do indeed abort a certain amount of violent crime by their coincidental presence on the scene, and that’s fine. But to tell us that all we have to do is call a cop when confronted by a troll is to talk like a fool–and those who tell us this know it.
One bleeding-heart type asked me in a recent interview if I did not agree that “violence begets violence.” I told him that it is my earnest endeavor to see that it does. I would like very much to ensure–and in some cases I have–that any man who offers violence to his fellow citizen begets a whole lot more in return than he can enjoy.
The obvious way to eradicate crime is to eradicate criminals, but neither the lawgivers nor the constabulary seem inclined to do this. The man who elects to prey upon society deserves no consideration from society. If he survives his act of violence, he rates a fair trial–but only to be sure that there has been no mistake about his identity. If he is killed in the act, there can be little doubt about whose act it was.
But we don’t want a “Porfiriato,” in which the police simply shoot all suspects out of hand. Such a regime may indeed have a certain austere appeal in today’s climate of urban chaos, but to trade one’s liberty for security is to sell one’s soul to the devil, as Ben Franklin noted [/i][jackass!][i]. And, to quote James Burnham, it is both our lives and our liberties that are at stake.
Laws are not the answer. We have laws against murder. We have laws against kidnapping. We have laws against extortion. And murder, kidnapping, and extortion are on the rise. The answer, it seems to me, is wrath. Let the thug take his chances with an alert, prepared, and angry citizenry. It may very well spoil his whole career.
This is not a call for vigilantism: It is a call for self-reliance. For those who feel short on self-reliance, I have a suggestion. Take up practical pistol shooting as a recreation. It is a good game. It is fun. It is “relevant.” And it does wonders for your self-reliance.
Your best protector is–as it always has been–you! [/i]
