Americans are not in a war with the U.S. government

Letter to the Editor

Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

May 29, 2024

I have been thinking a lot about Paul Kelly’s letter stating that we have the Second Amendment to the Constitution to protect us from our own government.

The language of the Second Amendment states that “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” What most people like Mr. Kelly don’t acknowledge about our history is that because our fledgling democracy had no standing army, our national defense depended on an armed citizenry capable of fighting off hostile European powers and native tribes. Guns suitable for military service were required for free men between the ages of 18 and 45. Guns were inspected and registered on the public rolls and some states conducted door to door surveys of gun ownership and safe storage. All of the states wanted to know where the guns were in case of attack. Guns were deemed to be assets of the public good; not potential instruments to overthrow our own government.

Recently, former President Trump has falsely claimed that FBI agents who carried out a lawful search of his beach club were there to assassinate him. His rhetoric has inflamed his followers to commit violence against FBI agents. Sen. Chuck Grassley has falsely claimed that IRS agents are preparing to knock citizens doors armed with assault weapons. We are not in a war with our government. Our recourse for disagreement is the rule of law and the ballot box. Anyone who believes that they need a gun to defend against our government is delusional and seriously misled by craven politicians who promote violence in politics for their own self-aggrandizement.

GLENN WHITAKER

Glade Park