Regarding the article in the Sunday edition of The Post-Journal “Political Recommendations On A Gun Control Compromise” dated February 18, 2023, most of what was suggested is currently law and enforceable. Our sheriff and judge will not tolerate any deviation from practices that they do not approve of. If firearms are stolen from your property and you don’t have them locked appropriately you could loose your privileges.

All firearms sold in New York State are registered in a federal book. This also includes street sales. The buyer must go through a FBI check and pass before taking possession of the firearm. All ammunition purchases are also recorded in a federal book. The books must be available for immediate inspection by law enforcement and are check periodically.

Rumor has it that people are buying firearms to over throw our government. That’s propaganda for the feeble minded to believe. Many are concerned about the rising crime. They are also concerned about the influx of drugs, open borders, appearance thicket and no bail, catch and release, de-fund the police to mention a few. They simply want to protect themselves and their families because there are fewer and fewer police available to help us.

Some will bring up the the Second Amendment which mentions “a well regulated militia” and some how defend there position for more laws because of that phrase. Nothing is mentioned about the Federalist Papers which might clarify what the forefathers meant. You might want to read the Federalist Papers to get a better understanding of the constitution.

The Federalist, commonly referred to as the Federalist Papers, is a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison between October 1787 and May 1788. The essays explain particular provisions of the Constitution in detail. The Federalist Papers are often used today to help interpret the intentions of those drafting the Constitution.

The Federalist Papers were considered the prime advocates of the ratification of the Constitution. Here are just a few of their writings and thoughts. Please read and form your own opinion without the influence of someone else.

“The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes…. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.” – Thomas Jefferson, 1774-1776.

“A militia when properly formed are in fact the people themselves…and include, according to the past and general usage of the states, all men capable of bearing arms… “To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.” – Richard Henry Lee, Federal Farmer No. 18, January 25, 1788

“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” – Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759

“Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation, the existence of subordinate governments, to which the people are attached, and by which the militia officers are appointed, forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition, more insurmountable than any which a simple government of any form can admit of.” – James Madison, Federalist No. 46, January 29, 1788

“No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.” – Thomas Jefferson, Virginia Constitution, Draft 1, 1776

“The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed.” – Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Cartwright, 5 June 1824″

“I ask who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers.” – George Mason, Address to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 4, 1788

“A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined…” – George Washington, First Annual Address, to both House of Congress, January 8, 1790

“The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.” – Samuel Adams, Massachusetts Ratifying Convention, 1788

“For it is a truth, which the experience of ages has attested, that the people are always most in danger when the means of injuring their rights are in the possession of those of whom they entertain the least suspicion.” – Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 25, December 21, 1787.

So, those who drafted and adopted the United States Constitution knew exactly what they meant by the right to bear arms and a militia. And if you’re not convinced after reading what our founding fathers thought I refer you to Benjamin Franklin who said “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Don’t be adherent. Think for yourself. Please let me know if you find the Federalist Papers to be a fraud.

Here is a good compromise. I communicated with one of our state representatives. My question was “Can you tell me if anyone has been murdered with a registered hand gun by a legal licensed pistol permit holder”. Well he got back to me and said he could not. So he brought it to the Senate floor and asked the same question. No one could come up with one example. So, why not leave the legal firearm holders alone.

Some will put the blame on politicians for laws created that do not suit them. That is a big mistake. They were voted into office. They are only doing what they were elected to do by the voters. The best advice I could give anyone who is not happy with things the way they are now is VOTE. If you are not currently a voter then shame on you. You don’t have a dog in this fight. Vote with your feet not with your mouth.

Bruce Piatz is a Jamestown resident.