UCSB’s Daily Nexus: "Liberals Need Not Fear the Right to Bear Arms"

[Michael303]

In my time at UCSB, I recognized the Nexus as being a left-slanted paper. Still, they did break a few stories that the Newspress covered up, and their editorials and Wednesday Hump column always made me chuckle.

Anyway, not only was this editorial published (http://www.dailynexus.com/article.php?a=14361), but it’s also right on target. Was this written by anybody we know?

Liberals Need Not Fear the Right to Bear Arms

Michael Helmeste

Published Thursday, June 7, 2007

Issue 137 / Volume 87

I’m a liberal. My voting record is largely Green Party and Democrat. I’m a strong environmentalist - I respect and treat all life equally. I think equal opportunity is a good concept, and I view our international policy with distaste.

I’m also a gun collector and strong proponent of the Second Amendment.

People have been misled to think that guns are a Republican thing. That’s unfortunate. Gun ownership is the most liberal thing I can imagine. It’s about keeping power in the hands of the people instead of being exclusively the tools of government and the rich. It’s about equality, letting an old woman defend herself as well as a bodybuilder. It’s about being able to protect not only the people that are important to us but the rest of our freedoms as well.

In an effort to garner votes, the Democrats have used guns as a scapegoat like the Republicans have used terror. They’ve created boogymen like “assault weapons” to convince constituents something is being done about the fundamentally human problem of violence. By banning guns, Democrats want you to believe something is being done to bring down crime. Do you know the definition of assault weapon? It’s not a machine gun. It’s a gun that has features like a grip that protrudes from the bottom or a bayonet lug. When’s the last time anyone was bayoneted? Another sensationalized item is hollow point ammo - bullets that flatten when they hit something. The police switched to hollow points because the alternative, round bullets, had a tendency to go straight through objects, ricochet and they also require a greater number of shots to stop attackers.

Guns aren’t even the most damaging method of killing. In the Happy Land Fire, a man killed 87 people with one dollar’s worth of gas. The record number of deaths at a school is held by a person with a bomb, not a gun. A nut job with a car in a crowded area can do more damage than a man with a bag full of guns. Where’s our gas licensing? Let’s ban cars. Americans understand cars; not many understand guns because they’re getting their information from a media that loves to sensationalize. You hear about one psychopath killer, but not about the thousands of people who were saved from being murdered or raped.

Guns are the best tools we as citizens have for defense. Not only has the Supreme Court ruled that police have no obligation to protect individuals, but it’s a physical impossibility for police to be there at all times. We shouldn’t rely on others for self-defense.

Guns also protect our freedoms. They ensure that, if necessary, the people have means to offer resistance to rogue authority. It wasn’t long ago that rogue police officers, after illegally disarming the citizenry, took advantage of Hurricane Katrina to steal much-needed food and supplies. A liberal should know that authority figures commit crimes every day. If we take physical power away from the people, what’s left to balance against governmental abuse? If we take guns away from the people, only criminals and the government will have them.

Banning guns to reduce violence is like playing Whac-A-Mole, remove one weapon and another will pop up. People have one less way to hurt each other out of billions. Unfortunately the unique benefits guns provide are gone, along with the lack of shootings, and there’s no replacing them.

It’s a citizen’s duty to vote with an informed understanding. Next time you see a gun control bill, don’t agree because it looks like common sense. Take the time to educate yourself on the terms, try substituting “gun” for “car” to remove an emotional bias. Place Second Amendment infringements in the context of better understood ones. Should we ban Ferraris because they’re too fast for normal citizens, or revolutionary texts because they’re too powerful? Go to a range and try out a gun. How could someone who’s never shot a gun dictate what types are and aren’t allowed?

Bearing arms is a constitutional right. It’s an empowerment of the citizenry that, like free speech, must be preserved for the most dire circumstances, lest we find it gone when we most need it. Let’s not define a freedom by its abuse, and let’s not give it up just because we don’t understand it.

Michael Helmeste is a UCSB staff member.

[Californio]

Don't know the author but very well written.

[Jarhead4]

People have been misled to think that guns are a Republican thing. That’s unfortunate. Gun ownership is the most liberal thing I can imagine. It’s about keeping power in the hands of the people instead of being exclusively the tools of government and the rich. It’s about equality, letting an old woman defend herself as well as a bodybuilder. It’s about being able to protect not only the people that are important to us but the rest of our freedoms as well.

INDENT]


So by being anti gun you are anti liberal. I like that. Gene, your not alone!!:D

[EricCartmann]

once the liberals believe in the right to bear arms, tax less, and to cut welfare i won't have a reason to vote republican anymore :D

[Piper]

OMG, if I'd of heard this guy before I heard all of the other Green Party $#!T, I would have considered signing up. He's level headed and his commentary is clear, complete and concise. Well done!

[Socal858]

WOW id buy this guy a beer

[Fate]

I like it...except for the inaccurate inclusion of "a bayonet lug" in the definition of an Assault Weapon.

[Scarecrow Repair]

I like it...except for the inaccurate inclusion of "a bayonet lug" in the definition of an Assault Weapon.

It WAS in the federal definition, and probably the best way to show how ignorant the anti-gunners are. Gun-ignorant people can find it somehow plausible that a pistol grip makes a rifle easier to handle, maybe easier to shoot accurately and fast from the hip, but a bayonet lug is just plain ludicrous.

[Diabolus]

once the liberals believe in the right to bear arms, tax less, and to cut welfare i won't have a reason to vote republican anymore :D

+1 :chris:

[M. Sage]

He was a long-haired hippy in '05. :p

http://www.urop.uci.edu/im-sure/2005_summer/helmeste/helmeste.html

[schizrade2]

Message sent:

To the staff and editors of The Daily Nexus,

EXCELLENT opinion piece!

As a fervent defender of the Second Amendment and a Classical Liberal, I applaud you for publishing this piece. Most modern “Liberals” have this notion that the state is our great protector and the need for guns is tantamount to Nazism. As this article points out, nothing could be more liberal minded (and based on true democratic philosophy) than the sovereignty of the individual and his/her right to self defense is inherent. Classic Liberal thought has been usurped by Socialist or Collectivist philosophy and the disconnect lies therein. Most people in this modern era of FUD and spin don’t realize that that modern liberalism is nothing more than Collectivism under an old label.

A true liberal sees the logic and the need for the second amendment and the Bill of Rights in protecting the sovereignty of the individual. A Socialist sees the same as a threat to the collective where order must be maintained over freedom at all costs. F.A. Hayek was right.

-Aaron Bateman

Reno, Nv

[hoffmang]

Being pro gun isn't a party thing. I also happen to trust people broadly on other issues too.

-Gene

[WokMaster1]

nice piece. I wonder if he has an OLL.;)

[LECTRIKHED]

There is a lot less of an ideological divide between true liberals and gun owners than we think. By true liberals I am not referring to Neo-Libs such as the democratic party. They like the constitution and the out doors. They oppose big government.

I just picked brochures from the Davis food co-op on stocking survival food and camping foods.

[Piper]

That's not a liberal, it's a liberterian.

[DrjonesUSA]

I am a true CLASSICAL liberal, in the spirit of our Founding Fathers and other great advocates of the theory of limited government and the maximum amount of personal freedom and liberty that is in keeping with an orderly society.

All modern Democrats with literally one or two exceptions are statist communists, period, end of story.

Many Republicans are statists.

The Green Party are self-proclaimed socialists (or communist lite).

That said, this guy obviously has it right on guns and we probably agree on a few other issues and I'd surely buy him a beer to discuss politics.

[C.G.]

Being pro gun isn't a party thing. I also happen to trust people broadly on other issues too.

-Gene

True, but I wonder how he stands when he votes. We only really have two parties and generally Republicans are pro-gun and Democrats are not. So, if he votes for Democrats, then he is negating his stance on this issue, as well as his well-written article.

[hoffmang]

See, I just want a home (politically) for libertarians that believe in muscular foreign policy to spread liberty.

And C.G. - I concur that there are tendencies on these issues. However, that means that more stunning and impactful changes can be made on the Dem side than on the Reep side. Witness all the Blue Dogs who were elected in the South and West to get the Dems where they are. Having Dems fighting Dems inside the Dems is the way to make lasting change.

The SF Handgun Ban actually turned a lot of moderate City living Dems against some of the SF City Dems...

-Gene

[C.G.]

See, I just want a home (politically) for libertarians that believe in muscular foreign policy to spread liberty.

And C.G. - I concur that there are tendencies on these issues. However, that means that more stunning and impactful changes can be made on the Dem side than on the Reep side. Witness all the Blue Dogs who were elected in the South and West to get the Dems where they are. Having Dems fighting Dems inside the Dems is the way to make lasting change.

The SF Handgun Ban actually turned a lot of moderate City living Dems against some of the SF City Dems...

-Gene

What we need is a third party, but with the alleged global warming the chance of hell freezing over is pretty slim.:D

[EricCartmann]

What we need is a third party, but with the alleged global warming the chance of hell freezing over is pretty slim.:D


I saw the clip on Fox where some of the Republican candidates do not believe in evolution? I concluded and asked myself how can I vote for someone who does not believe in evolution?

The science is there and if you have any kind of reasoning you will believe in evolution.

[C.G.]

I saw the clip on Fox where some of the Republican candidates do not believe in evolution? I concluded and asked myself how can I vote for someone who does not believe in evolution?

The science is there and if you have any kind of reasoning you will believe in evolution.

In both camps there are politicians that are prejudiced against something and cannot be reasoned with. Then there are other ones that use flawed science to prove their point. There is no easy answer.

[mth]

I'm the author of the article - just thought I'd stop by and say hello!

It was sort of neat since I actually received an e-mail from a member here before I saw the paper itself.

RE: The question about whether I owned any OLLs, unfortunately I don't have any AR-15 style guns yet. I've been working on my handgun collection recently (picking up a Glock 17 next week). This (http://elf.glassfish.net/?pg=photos/stuff/guns/su16) is probably the closest thing I own. Or maybe my "assault plinker" (http://elf.glassfish.net/?pg=photos/stuff/guns/g22).

[Michael303]

Welcome to Calguns! Great article, and it’s nice to see a fellow UCSB alum is a 2nd amendment supporter. Heck, a couple of my buddies at UCSB used to cut out early on Wednesdays and head up to the range. Good times, that’s for sure. Next time I’m headed up at ECC you should come along.

[JWC6]

I'm the author of the article - just thought I'd stop by and say hello!

It was sort of neat since I actually received an e-mail from a member here before I saw the paper itself.

RE: The question about whether I owned any OLLs, unfortunately I don't have any AR-15 style guns yet. I've been working on my handgun collection recently (picking up a Glock 17 next week). This (http://elf.glassfish.net/?pg=photos/stuff/guns/su16) is probably the closest thing I own. Or maybe my "assault plinker" (http://elf.glassfish.net/?pg=photos/stuff/guns/g22).


Thank you for your article and welcome! I believe that calguns does represent a diverse cross section of society in California, politically and socially, with a strong belief in life and liberty.

The kel-tec is a nice plinker, just try to avoid the OEM 10 round magazines, the bushmaster or C-products 10 rounders are more reliable.

[DrjonesUSA]

I'm the author of the article - just thought I'd stop by and say hello!

It was sort of neat since I actually received an e-mail from a member here before I saw the paper itself.

RE: The question about whether I owned any OLLs, unfortunately I don't have any AR-15 style guns yet. I've been working on my handgun collection recently (picking up a Glock 17 next week). This (http://elf.glassfish.net/?pg=photos/stuff/guns/su16) is probably the closest thing I own. Or maybe my "assault plinker" (http://elf.glassfish.net/?pg=photos/stuff/guns/g22).


Hello and welcome!

I hope you stick around this forum!

Great job on the article!

Good idea to build up your collection of semi-auto pistols - those are getting more & more difficult to buy in this fascist state.

Take care!

[wutzu]

Thanks for the great editorial, and welcome to Calguns

[schizrade2]

That's not a liberal, it's a liberterian.

You don't know what you are talking about.

[Phil Bole]

Welcome to Calguns! Great article, and it’s nice to see a fellow UCSB alum is a 2nd amendment supporter.

Same
I still live in Goleta
Business Economics '97 (without honors....study weeks 5 and 10....buy AS notes and don't go to class...etc:cool2: )
Can't be too far from Cantina breakfast burrittos ya know
Good article in the Nexus
I remember tripping out when I picked up my first copy of the Nexus because they used the F Word alot!!!
"Wow...this is a cool school I picked" I thought to my self
It does lean towards the left sometimes

I was up at the "designated shooting area" on Camino Cielo a few days ago
Some dudes took AND LEFT a washing machine
I was kinda pissed but didn't say anything
(not really into telling armed people what to do......hehehheheheh)
I just hope it's not chumps like that get the shooting area closed down :mad:

[ldivinag]

I'm the author of the article - just thought I'd stop by and say hello!

It was sort of neat since I actually received an e-mail from a member here before I saw the paper itself.




ha ha...

careful mike.

i too, work for public univ (cal state hayward) and once people know i'm a gun person, that leads to becoming the local gun nut...


lol....

[XDshooter]

Guns are the best tools we as citizens have for defense. Not only has the Supreme Court ruled that police have no obligation to protect individuals, but it’s a physical impossibility for police to be there at all times. We shouldn’t rely on others for self-defense.


THIS IS SO DISTURBING.

I have never heard about these cases until now. Just looking searching through google reveals numerous cases about this.


And we in CA have to deal with the BS CCW laws. I'm so F*CKING pissed right now.

[mth]

Next time I’m headed up at ECC you should come along.
Sure; I'm usually at the Winchester Canyon club every other weekend or so, but send me a message! Unfortunately I don't have time anymore during the weekdays, but weekends are great.

The kel-tec is a nice plinker, just try to avoid the OEM 10 round magazines, the bushmaster or C-products 10 rounders are more reliable.
I do like it a lot -- thanks for the tip on the magazines as well. So far I haven't actually had too many problems with the ones I got with it, but I've been looking to get some more anyways.

I was up at the "designated shooting area" on Camino Cielo a few days ago
Some dudes took AND LEFT a washing machine
I was kinda pissed but didn't say anything
Yeah it's disappointing how filled with trash the place gets. Also gets kind of crazy on weekends as well. If it was me I'd probably try to get their license plate and phone it in so the park service could have a talk with them on the way out but thankfully, I guess, I haven't been in that situation.

i too, work for public univ (cal state hayward) and once people know i'm a gun person, that leads to becoming the local gun nut...
I'm definitely the one with the most guns in the office. Another guy shoots as well and we take trips up to the range sometimes, so it's actually pretty good in that regards. I'm trying to get other people interested in coming up and so far the responses have been favorable. :)

Good idea to build up your collection of semi-auto pistols - those are getting more & more difficult to buy in this fascist state.
Definitely one of the reasons I'm working on the collection. When I think about the efforts to try and ban all semiautomatics it still seems so weird it's hard for me to believe, yet things keep moving slowly in that direction. When politicians are just looking to the next election, who knows what the future will hold. I still remember being so put out when I was new to all this 'assault rifle' nonsense, seeing the announcement for the Sig 556 (http://www.sigarms.com/Products/ShowCatalogProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=35&productid=114), drooling over it, then finding out I couldn't get one because I lived in CA and not the next state over. It's still on my wish list of stuff to get if I ever find myself living elsewhere, along with the Kel-Tec RFB (http://world.guns.ru/sniper/sn75-e.htm), PLR-16 (http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/plr16.html), PS-90 (http://www.fnhusa.com/products/firearms/family.asp?fid=FNF009&gid=FNG006), BFG 50 (http://serbu.com/top/bfg50.php), and probably a Bushmaster AR-15, or some Class III stuff if I get really carried away.



Thanks for all the comments on the article! The forums look interesting, I'll try to check them on a regular basis.

[Hunter]

...seeing the announcement for the Sig 556 (http://www.sigarms.com/Products/ShowCatalogProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=35&productid=114), drooling over it, then finding out I couldn't get one because I lived in CA and not the next state over. It's still on my wish list of stuff to get if I ever find myself living elsewhere, ......


Actually with a simple addition to the gun, you can buy and possess a Sig 556 here in CA! Look in the other forurms for more info and then look in the commercial section forum for a place to buy it!

Such as here: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=56681&highlight=sig+556

[ETD1010]

That's not a liberal, it's a liberterian.



You don't know what you are talking about.

+1. Ever read Locke???

[mth]

Actually with a simple addition to the gun, you can buy and possess a Sig 556 here in CA! Look in the other forurms for more info and then look in the commercial section forum for a place to buy it!

Such as here: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=56681&highlight=sig+556

Well how about that :D

I'm going to thank you for the tip, though my wallet might have other things to say!

[hoffmang]

mth,

Other than NFA weapons, there aren't a lot of things you can't have in California as long as you're willing to be creative. Those creative paths are all here in old threads.

-Gene

[MrLogan]

Good article.