Trick or Treat (Fred Thompson on the 2nd Amendment)

The Shooting Wire ^ | October 31, 2007 | Jim Shepherd

[2ndDivisionVet]

Last week, Sturm, Ruger & Company (NYSE: RGR) stock took a licking in the marketplace after Ruger officials admitted their revitalization plan wasn't quite on the rails the way they had envisioned. Yesterday, Smith & Wesson Holding Company (SWHC) received a similar spanking after earnings came in below analysts' expectations of 12 cents a share. Notice there were earnings, they just weren't the earnings the market analysts expected. Rather than 12 cents, earnings were a nickel less. In exchange, Smith & Wesson Holding Company took a big tumble, losing nearly 40% (39.67) in heavy volume with more than 14 point seven million shares changing hands.

The fall began at the opening bell, with the first trade at $13.75, quite a change from Monday's close at $20.09. Smith & Wesson officials say the cut in expectations were due to lower than expected demand for rifles and shotguns. Since the acquisition of Thompson/Center Arms last year, Smith & Wesson has been more dependent on consumer markets, with the company's progress over the past year having already doubled the stock price.

With yesterday's news, however, analysts say a slowdown in hunting and consumers postponing sales will continue to hurt the stock value. Market followers say the "adjustment" to Smith & Wesson's near runaway performance over the past year was inevitable, and long-term the company's health is not in question.

Meanwhile, presidential hopeful Fred Thompson is making his bones with the firearms community. He has issued a statement regarding his position on the United Nations and their campaign to regulate "small arms" globally. We don't have a favorite in the Republican primary candidates, but it would seem former Senator Thompson from Tennessee has taken a page from the playbook of another plain-spoken Tennessean Senator, Senator Davy Crockett. Rather than paraphrase, we'll let you read Thompson's comments for yourself. FYI, we'll run the comments from other candidates when (if) they ever make a definitive statement on firearms, the Second Amendment and litmus-test issues with shooters.

That having been said, Senator Thompson:

"Last year, the United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights declared that international human rights law requires all nations to adopt strict gun control laws. These "minimum" provisions are much more restrictive than any of those on the books anywhere in the U.S. and would almost certainly violate the Second Amendment of our Constitution.

Besides concluding that all nations are obligated under international human rights law to control the small arms and light weapons to which its civilian population has access, the UN report remarkably denied the existence of any human right to self-defense, evidently overlooking the work of Hugo Grotius, the 17th century scholar credited as the founder of international law, who wrote, "It is to be observed that [the] Right of Self-Defence, arises directly and immediately from the Care of our own Preservation, which Nature recommends to every one. . . ," and that this right is so primary, that it cannot be denied on the basis that it is not "expressly set forth."

There is another disturbing aspect to this call for international global gun control. Throughout modern history, the forced disarmament of people by its government has often been accompanied or followed by that government's commission of often massive human rights abuses. In fact, no genocide in the 20th century occurred when the victim population still possessed small arms, legally or illegally, with which to defend themselves.

So now the UN wants to disarm civilians? Where was the UN when the massacres in Rwanda occurred? What did the UN do to protect the victims of ethnic massacres in Bosnia? Disarming civilians under the guise of international human rights law will only lead to more such genocides by ensuring that civilians can never defend themselves! It would be funny if it weren't so perverse.

Thankfully, the Framers of our Constitution recognized this potential peril to our liberty, and enshrined in our Second Amendment the more basic right of self-defense. The U.N. can say what it likes about other countries' citizens' possession of small arms being a violation of human rights law, but so long as the United States is a sovereign nation governed by its Constitution, its words will have no effect here. And I am glad for it."

As always, we'll keep you posted. -- Jim Shepherd

[2ndDivisionVet]

If like me, you vote on certain issues like RTKBA, you'll want to study this.

[phrogphlyer]

He hits all the right points, but ... quoting Grotius? Not exactly stirring.

[bobby.223]

I’m still undecided on fred. the RKBA is number one with me but I have heard he is a CFR guy and I understand that those people are in favor of “global gun control” anybody heard anything regarding this? if so I’m all ears.

[o_zarkman44]

This is a very important issue. And we must look carefully at each Presidential candidate to see where they stand on the 2nd Amendment. We must look at each candidates record of collaberation with UN policy. Voting record (if applicable) statements regarding the 2nd Amendment, and statements regarding support of UN programs.

Anyone too friendly with the UN should be construed as potentially an enemy of the 2nd Amendment and the right of self protection. Furthermore, anyone friendly with the uN should be suspect as someone who would bargain away our rights and sovergnity in exchange for some unknown agreement that benefits some elitist or corporate entity.

I think Fred Thompson is very clear that He is a friend of the 2nd Amendment and our Constitution. he is also a friend of US sovergnity.

[JDickeson75]

If a polotician does not trust me with my weapons, why should I trust them with theirs. RTKBA, secures all other rights, that is why they are trying to take this one away from as many as they can.

[Free Vulcan]

Hunter and Thompson seem to be the only two who understand the 2nd amendment. Excellently articulated piece.

[WFTR]

He hits all the right points, but ... quoting Grotius? Not exactly stirring.

I'm not exactly a Fred Thompson fan, but I wouldn't criticize this approach. His persona is that of a "country boy" who has tremendous intellectual depth. While I think both sides of that persona are more spin and less substance than what his supporters believe, he doesn't hurt himself playing the issue this way. He makes clear to RTKBA voters that he opposes what the U.N. is proposing, but he does so in a way that doesn't evoke images of a redneck with a "cold dead fingers" bumper sticker.

I have no doubt that Duncan Hunter would be stronger than Mr. Thompson in defense of the Second Amendment, and if this writer hasn't heard from any other candidates, then he isn't listening to Mr. Hunter. I wish this Mr. Romney would make a similar statement. Of course, I mostly hope that whoever is elected will do more than talk about preserving our rights.

Bill

[ansel12]

NATIONAL REVIEW; "Waiting on Fred" Aug 27 2007 The Supreme Court, and judicial issues in general, are Thompson's strong suit. Not only does he have the background-the Watergate investigation, the Senate Judiciary Committee, private practice, and the job of guiding John Roberts through his confirmation hearings-he also knows the conservative legal stars who would likely be candidates for the Court in coming years. But he won't name names, beyond the men already there, "I like Roberts and Alito and Scalia and Thomas" he tells me. "We're in a heck of a lot better shape because of Roberts and Alito, and one more gain would put us in even better shape." Should he become president, Thompson would undoubtedly try to nominate that elusive fifth conservative.

[struggle]

If any of you are willing to abide by the UN law and want to sell your SKS or lever action rifle before you get in trouble, CONTACT ME FIRST.

[lesser_satan]

YES HE IS A CFR MEMBER, AND HE ADMITS IT. NOBODY DENIES OR APOLOGIZES FOR THIS.

Happy?

[lesser_satan]

I have nothing to assuage your reservations about Fred if his record and public statements don't satisfy you. So here's a cartoon I found amusing.

[WFTR]

I don't feel all that bad about Fred Thompson, but I don't feel all that good about him either. I'll spare you the usual list of why I don't feel all that good about him. If he's the nominee, I'll vote for him, and I'll do my usual volunteer work for the local Republican party. I may or may not identify myself as part of the Thompson campaign, but my volunteer work will include support for the entire GOP ticket.

Either way, I agree that the cartoon is amusing and sadly true. The anti-gun fanatics target the average gun owner because the average gun owner is a peaceful, law-abiding citizen who respects the right of other citizens to disagree. There's no danger for the anti-gunners in attacking the average gun owner while there's danger in targeting either the radical racists or the criminal class. The anti-gun lobby is made primarily of cowards.

Bill

[Politicalmom]

PING!!

Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference

WARNING: If you wish to join, be aware that this ping list is EXTREMELY active.

[Politicalmom]

So what?

He is also a member of the American Enterprise Institute, and actually has participated in that organization. I can find no evidence that Fred has even written a single paper or been involved in a single CFR function.

“AEI’s purposes are to defend the principles and improve the institutions of American freedom and democratic capitalism—limited government, private enterprise, individual liberty and responsibility, vigilant and effective defense and foreign policies, political accountability, and open debate.

Its work is addressed to government officials and legislators, teachers and students, business executives, professionals, journalists, and all citizens interested in a serious understanding of government policy, the economy, and important social and political developments.”

I did a search for “sovereignty” on their site. It came up with this as the first result:

Short Publications Section (397)
Courting Danger
By John R. Bolton
Posted: Saturday, January 1, 2000

Undebated Questions about UN Peacekeeping
By John R. Bolton
Posted: Saturday, September 9, 2000

Do We Really Want to Place the U.S. Navy under International Judicial Supervision?
By Jeremy A. Rabkin
Posted: Wednesday, September 19, 2007

A search on gun control came up with this:

Events Section (16)

The Bias against Guns
Monday, May 19, 2003

What Is the True Meaning of the Second Amendment?
Wednesday, February 12, 2003

Supreme Court Gun Cases
Friday, October 3, 2003

Books Section (3)

The Bias against Guns
Posted: Saturday, March 1, 2003

More Guns, Less Crime
Posted: Saturday, April 1, 2000

Real Federalism
By Michael S. Greve
Posted: Saturday, January 1, 2000

[ansel12]

“I don’t feel all that bad about Fred Thompson, but I don’t feel all that good about him either. I’ll spare you the usual list of why I don’t feel all that good about him. If he’s the nominee, I’ll vote for him, and I’ll do my usual volunteer work for the local Republican party. I may or may not identify myself as part of the Thompson campaign, but my volunteer work will include support for the entire GOP ticket.”

---

I know what you mean.

Fred Thompson has to help. (or even lead)

[Celtman]

Hunter and Thompson seem to be the only two who understand the 2nd amendment.

Then you disagree with this position statement?  Which part of the 2nd Amendment do you feel this candidate does not understand?

I share our Founders’ belief that in a free society each citizen must have the right to keep and bear arms. They ratified the Second Amendment knowing that this right is the guardian of every other right, and they all would be horrified by the proliferation of unconstitutional legislation that prevents law-abiding Americans from exercising this right.

I have always supported the Second Amendment and these are some of the bills I have introduced in the current Congress to help restore respect for it:

• H.R. 1096 includes provisions repealing the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act and the Federal Firearms License Reform Act of 1993, two invasive and unconstitutional bills.
• H.R. 1897 would end the ban on carrying a firearm in the National Park System, restoring Americans’ ability to protect themselves in potentially hazardous situations.
• H.R. 3305 would allow pilots and specially assigned law enforcement personnel to carry firearms in order to protect airline passengers, possibly preventing future 9/11-style attacks.
• H.R. 1146 would end our membership in the United Nations, protecting us from their attempts to tax our guns or disarm us entirely.

In the past, I introduced legislation to repeal the so-called “assault weapons” ban before its 2004 sunset, and I will oppose any attempts to reinstate it.

I also recently opposed H.R. 2640, which would allow government-appointed psychiatrists to ban U.S. veterans experiencing even mild forms of Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome from ever owning a gun.

You have the right to protect your life, liberty, and property. As President, I will continue to guard the liberties stated in the Second Amendment.

The Second Amendment

[Soliton]

I can’t see how any gun company can stay in business. How many new cars would be sold if the old ones were reliable and usable after 100 years?

I have a Winchester model 1897 12 Ga. that was made in 1914 a LeFever 16 double made in the 30’s and a 1903 Springfield for deer hunting. They all work fine and look really cool.

[ExSoldier]

Bookmark for later post

[WLR]

Does anyone suspect this is just an economic decision unrelated to internal business practices or conditions.
A response to the potential of a second Clintoon Presidency?

I think we will see the same thing occurring in many companies across the board in the following year.

W

[from occupied ga]

Ron Paul is not popular with the pro war armchair heroes on this forum. Obviously they have an exceedingly poor grasp of history if they think the threat from a few smelly rag heads half way across the world is greater than the threat to our liberty represented by people like Obama, Clinton, Edwards, Guiliani Romney, McCain, and last but not least King George II (I will sign any assault weapons ban that reaches my desk) Bush.