Jacob Wade
Mr. John Hardison
American Literature
(Honors)
26 November 2012
The
Right to be Loaded for Bear
We have all been in a situation where we have felt
uneasy, afraid, and possibly even threatened. Have we not? It is at those times
that you want to be able to protect yourself. We as American citizens have and
deserve that right. The threat of a British attack was the reason for the
creation of the second amendment; the right to bear arms. It has come to be a
national issue now that we could lose this right which we all have.
The patriots of early America, our forefathers, cherished
this right. They wanted to be able to defend themselves, when and if needed,
against the strongest opposition. The Americans, after winning their independence
through war, knew there was always a potential risk of being attacked once
again. The creation of the amendment was meant for our defense. If this right
is taken from us we would feel weak, crippled, and exposed. Imagine if the
patriots had not armed themselves. I have no doubt that I would not be here
giving you this speech, because, we my fellow Americans, would not be here.
While it
is that our second amendment was created for a large purpose, such as an
invasion by a considerable force, we use this to secure our own personal
protection. Those of us who know not how to defend ourselves have the right to
carry firearms, so that if our homes are threatened by a trespasser, or if we
are assaulted on the streets we walk, we may stand a chance of defending
ourselves. I know not of anyone who wants to feel cornered such as a rabbit
does when a wolf closes in. We have the right to turn the tables with our
second amendment so that we are no longer the prey.
In the Declaration of Independence, written by our
forefathers, it states that the people “are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable rights” (page 156, Jefferson). I believe the right to bear
arms is one of those, the right to protect ourselves. Thomas Paine wrote “that
God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them
unsupportedly to perish” (page 161). In the above statements it proves just how
valuable our defense is, as an individual or as a country. Without the right to
our protection, we may very well not be here today.
Works Cited
Jefferson, Thomas. "The
Declaration of Independence." Prentice Hall Literature. Upper Saddle
River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, 2002. 1-1349. Print.
Paine, Thomas. "From The Crisis
Number 1." Prentice Hall Literature. Upper Saddle River, New
Jersey: Pearson Education, 2002. 1-1349. Print.
I ask that you would please comment on how strong my thesis is, did I support my thesis, do I have strong conclusion, and what are my strengths and weaknesses. If you would also leave your own personal opinion that would be helpful.
I ask that you would please comment on how strong my thesis is, did I support my thesis, do I have strong conclusion, and what are my strengths and weaknesses. If you would also leave your own personal opinion that would be helpful.