“Unite the country” are probably the three scariest words coming out of DC right now. Adapt or be crushed – that’s what they mean. Fortunately, the Second Amendment sanctuary state’s efforts are drawing bold lines against federal interference.
Missouri is close to eliminating federal gun control on its borders. Tuesday in the Missouri House mostly passed The “Second Amendment Protection Act,” which prohibits public officials, state employees, and political subdivisions from enforcing federal acts, laws, executive orders, court orders, and other edicts that violate the right to bear arms.
The Tenth Amendment Center, a top think tank for nullification advocates, calls the legislation “important step” towards stopping the “past, present and future” of federal gun control.
It is also an critical step towards healing, reconciliation and unity across the country.
Yes, really! How?
Just as many states have taken sides on issues such as marijuana prohibition, civil asset forfeiture and illegal immigration, many will also follow Missouri’s lead.
In fact, similar Second Amendment sanctuary status bills are pending Arkansas, OhioAND Wyomingas do countless local resolutions and ordinances across the country. The sheriffs are also doing their part.
But what does this have to do with uniting the country? Haven’t our betters told us that gun freedom is too divisive and that we should leave it to Congress to force a “compromise” on us all?
It should be obvious that the so-called compromise would only embitter the nation and further deepen divisions within the nation. The evidence is starkly observable in every presidential election cycle, and the midterms don’t provide much of a break either.
Republican or Democrat, well-intentioned or not, any federal politician proposing modern policies or laws aimed at unifying America should be ignored or otherwise vigorously resisted. This is not because unity is an unworthy or impossible goal. On the contrary.
It is crucial to understand that the federal government is a consolidating force, not a unifying force. An effective federal government is a consequence of unity, not its source.
Taking too much power away from smaller elements in order to hand them over to a central authority risks pitting the former against each other in competition for control of the latter.
True unity therefore begins with mutual respect among the 50 states for what is theirs and what is common.
The fundamental political question facing us today is not how to unite nations and states. How will they earn or command respect from each other?
In the “more perfect union” provided for in the United States Constitution, it was considered critical to demarcate powers not only among the branches of the federal government, but also among the states and the federal government. How unbalanced the division of power has become.
Congress, the president, or even the Supreme Court should not be expected to undo more than 100 years of expansion of power in Washington. Returning to the spirit and letter of the Tenth Amendment, which completes the intent, will require major disruption. Bill of Rights saying:
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the States by it, are reserved to the States or to the people respectively.”
Enforcement of this cornerstone of the Constitution must be local. Recent history proves this most clearly with the overturning of the federal marijuana prohibition. Continued non-compliance ultimately renders the feds powerless.
In addition to Missouri, other versions of the Second Amendment Protection Act are currently being introduced in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Wyoming.
Missouri law blocks enforcement of special taxes and fees on firearms, accessories and ammunition. Other “violations” listed in the regulations include registering and tracing firearms, accessories or ammunition.
To ensure accountability, any state employee who violates this sanctuary state law will be subject to civil lawsuits and damages. Moreover, the bill eliminates the ability of a government employee to invoke “sovereign, official or qualified immunity” as a defense.
One amendment that was defeated would have barred from employment in the state any federal officer who violated a Missourian’s right to keep and bear arms. The bill would be better if it included this provision. Overall, however, the bill is indeed a large step in the right direction.
Even symbolic or theatrical political gestures are better than nothing, especially at the most local level, where a resolution or declaration can be the basis for building support for actions at the state level.
The issue of the Second Amendment may be divisive on a national level, but the beauty of America is that it doesn’t have to be a wedge in every community across the country.
There have been over five million modern gun owners in the last year or so, and over two million guns were sold in January 2021 alone. Black women make up a gigantic portion of first-time gun buyers, according to industry reports. As gun culture grows and changes, the issue is ripe for a populist appeal that says people should decide the level of gun control in their community, not some ATF agent.
President Joe Biden called for unity in his inaugural address. He said unity would be the way to save all life on the planet from destruction and defeat white supremacy. Man is full of malaria.
Republicans in Congress are at least circumscribed to electoral reform when it comes to how they envision uniting the country. But even in this context, unity is just another fluffy word for a good sound.
Uniting the country will have to wait until there is greater unity in our communities and states. When states no longer neglect their responsibilities to oppose the monopolistic federal government, we will have a fighting chance.
