Wednesday, November 28, 2012

The Right to be Loaded for Bear

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.