2nd Amendment Lessons from Egypt

[PegLeg45]

I was reading the June issue of American Rifleman magazine and in the ILA section there was an article about Egypt and the 2nd A as it related to "after the riots and turmoil". I could not find the article on AR's web sites, but found it on a blog page so I could post it. This is one of those lessons that many have to learn the hard way, by being directly affected by something in order to realize its importance.

IN EGYPT: The right to bear arms is not a bad idea...

Just as the 1992 L.A. riots and Hurricanes Andrew and Katrina proved to many Americans that government cannot be counted on to offer protection in times of crisis, the tumultuous days of this winter's Egyptian revolution led throngs of Egyptians to embrace their human right to self-defense and arm themselves-with or without state sanction.

The Daily News Egypt reports that on Jan. 28, after the police withdrew from the streets, Egyptians were left to protect themselves against looters. Residents banded together in neighborhood militias, arming themselves with makeshift weapons and any firearms they could acquire. With the government still in disarray several weeks after the transfer of power, navigating the already onerous licensing process required to own a firearm in Egypt has become nearly impossible. One Egyptian who has taken to carrying a pistol remarked, "I now carry it without a license because they are not issuing any licenses at the moment but I need to protect myself and my family... [the state is] refusing to give us the means to protect ourselves when they are actually not even protecting us."

An Egyptian woman, prompted by the unrest to acquire firearm training, shared a similar sentiment, stating, "I refuse to give in to fear...so I'm taking precautionary measures to protect myself."

The dire situation sparked at least one anti-gun to pro-gun conversion chronicled by Princeton University graduate and Egyptian citizen Ahmed Ozalp in his university's Ilumni weekly. Among the lessons Ozalp learned from his front-row seat for the revolution: "The right to bear arms is not a bad idea."

Ozalp described how the absence of police protection prompted him and his neighbors to arm themselves with golf clubs, baseball bats and homemade spears, along with a few handguns and rifles (even air guns!).

As Ozalp summed it up:  "I always have been amused by America's fascination with the right to bear arms, dismissing it as national zealotry. After living through the necessity of forming a neighborhood militia, I now recognize the protection it affords."


http://www.blogster.com/feduptohere/in-egypt-the-right-to-bear-arms-is-not-a-bad-idea

Bold and colored emphasis was mine.

I don't know who wrote the piece, there was no by-line in AR and the blog only lists the blogger's title.

[twyacht]

If Greece, Spain, or Italy ever take up arms again,.....there would be some real change for sure...

[MikeBjerum]

But it will never happen here.  And even if it does, we have police and National Guard to protect those of us that have nothing to fear because we have done nothing wrong.

[tombogan03884]

Sometimes it's the Police and Army you need protection FROM.

[twyacht]

But it will never happen here.  And even if it does, we have police and National Guard to protect those of us that have nothing to fear because we have done nothing wrong.

Just like the old lady after Katrina...

Never Again.

[Sponsor]

[Badgersmilk]

"Never again"?!?!  Dude, you live in hurricane territory just like me.  Next "Katrina" passes through, we'll see it all over again.  You can count on that like you can count on a politician to lie.  Just like the storm itself, there ARE ways to prepare for it though.   

[Solus]

That video brought to mind the song of which Tom B reminded us.  Barbara Frietchie by John Greenleaf Whitter

And the excerpt refers to the actions of an officer of the forces at war war the Northern States.


A shade of sadness, a blush of shame,   
Over the face of the leader came;   
 
The nobler nature within him stirred   
To life at that woman's deed and word:    
 
"Who touches a hair of yon gray head   
Dies like a dog! March on!" he said.

[fightingquaker13]

And the Princeton Alum is only getting that the 2A was a good idea after trying to patrol his neighborhood armed with a sand wedge and a spatula? What kind of tool taught him intro to American politics? Or is it not required at Princeton anymore? I used to joke to my intro class at UT Austin that my pop quiz on the 2A would would consist of the following. I'd scream "He's got a gun"! The students that dropped to the ground would get a C, the ones who panicked would fail, and the ones who drew their own piece would get an A. Anyone who raised their hand and asked "So what's your point" would ace the class.
FQ13