What right do you as a fellow American have to determine what I can and cannot do, own or say?

Am I correct in my thinking that you are referring to the patriot acts and the Homeland Security and the coming NWO, that the elite will bring into being if we don't stand up together and stop them.? Not many of the other answerers, so far seem to be getting it!!!

One of the first things that we have to do, in order to defeat these people...aside from waking up as many people as we can...is working toward shutting down the Federal Reserve. If you don't know what I am talking about, you would be wise to do the research and find out!!!!

Excellent question by the way!!!!

In a "society" there need to be rules that govern individuals otherwise you end up with a terrible kind of chaos. The United States has a Constitution and other laws that support and facilitate the function of our society. I agree with most laws and have problems with others, but the bottom line is that I either work to change what I don't like or go live someplace else where I like the laws better. Since I want to live here I try to do what I can when I vote to make the town, state, and the country someplace I enjoy living. If you don't like the gun laws, you should possibly join the NRA and vote accordingly.

It's true guns don't kill people --- people kill people, but no one needs "some" of the kind of guns (automatic weapons) that are available on the streets of our country. Those often become a quick solution to larger issues in which innocent people become victims.

I think you will see this change in the not so distant future. The right to bear arms has always been an American right and I cannot foresee it changing in the foreseeable future. I wonder what some terrorists think that they are in for if they ever tried to invade or begin some of their terrorist activities here in the USA. Those rifles hanging from the backs of pickup trucks are not there for decoration. I sort of like the idea that the people are ready even if the armed forces or the police are not around. The right to bear arms is written up in the constitution of the USA and it will not be changed overnight. The present status of things in the world make it look like that right will be protected well into the future.

One of the biggest lies that the political right has propagated is that liberals want to remove the 2nd amendment; that we don't own guns and don't know how to use them. Nothing could be further from the truth. Liberals are for responsible gun ownership and are for putting measures into place that will help to keep guns out of the hands of children and criminals. My guns are registered. I've taken all the training and certification measures so that I'm now allowed legally to carry a concealed weapon. I'm an excellent marksman. The way I see it is that gun ownership, like having a drivers license, is a privilege that should be regulated.

To my knowledge, no one has suggested that people should not have the right to own firearms. What has been suggested is that firearm ownership should be controlled.

The framers of the Constitution never imagined the development of automatic weapons that exist only to kill people. This is a far cry from ownership of weapons to enjoy sports such as target shooting or hunting.

It is also a far cry from a "well-organized militia" as described in the Second Amendment.

A person in authority, such as law enforcement, has the right and duty to enforce laws. They are the only ones with the license to do this. Others may voice their opinions. Petitions may be signed. And, bills may be introduced to Congress. But, your everyday people have no right to tell you what to do.

For example, if a neighbor is playing their music too loud, and it is bothering other neighbors, these people have the right to "call the cops." Your enjoyment has infringed upon the rights of others. It would be nice if everyone was considerate of others.

If your neighbor is abusing children or their spouse, the neighbor has an obligation to society to report this behavior. The proper authorities should investigate the call and take appropriate action.

This same scenario, but with the man threatening, and about to stab, one of his family members, you have the right to protect life in life threatening situations. This means if you are carrying, if you are able to take a good shot, and, there is a strong possiblity of loss of life if immediant action is not taken, you can shoot to kill. There are a lot of if's here.

In other words, if you legally own a firearm, and, you are not breaking any laws, no one has the right to take it from you. But, we have the right to protest or follow due process to change laws.

As for gay marriage, it is illegal. The country has decided this, and, we have an obigation to be law abiding citizens. This is true with any law (abortion, murder, speeding, smoking pot). If we do not like a law, then we should be following the steps to make changes.

This is why we are in the mess we are in. We vote (voter turnout is always low) for our politicians and then sit on our fat donkeys expecting them to make changes favorable for us. What makes this country great is the ability to change laws. What has put this country into the mess we are presently in is the lack of action of the American citizen.

I don't have any problem with a pot smoker. I can't see it being any worse than alcohol. But, the law says no. Gay rights. No problem. I don't believe in it, but if a person wants to, then it is their choice. But, are they ready to really open that can of worms? If we allow gay marriage, how about plural marriage? How about marrying your brother/sister? Or, a day marrying one of his children? Or, even, marrying your pet?

As for abortion, I don't believe in it. But, a woman has the right to make that decision. It is her body. I would like to see more adoptions.

In short, if you are not in law enforcement, you don't have the right to enforce laws. You can state your opinions, and they should be done in a lawful manner. You do have the obligation to be a responsiblie citizen. Obey the laws. Work towards improving/changing the existing laws. And, be tolerant of things we can't change.

In Tennessee I have a license to carry a weapon and more and more states have such a law. I do not believe they will permit the outlawing of firearms. The bill for automatic weapons was a farce, taking the bayonet lug off, the flash supressor, and changing the stock. The companies never ceased manufacture.

well...I understand and agree with you to a point....but we need to have laws, or else we would have complete chaos...Americans can *do* as they wish for the most part....but there are limits....murder, theft, rape,drugs ect are crimes and we do not have the *right* to commit crimes......own.....yes we can own almost anything as long as it is legal..and gun control is a hot topic...I do believe in the right to bear arms...I have a gun, and my husband has many...but at the same time I am concerned if my neighbor who is unstable, like a powder keg ready to blow 99% of the time...do I want this guy to have the right to have a machine gun? No....as I also feel I have the right to LIVE. We have the right to speech...and it is the right I cherish the most of all, as we should all be entitled to our opinions. But at the same time, we should all expect the right to be respected for our differences and not be harassed because of them.

because ppl having all this "right" to have and use firearms is the reason why crazy psychos are out killing ppl.

Most of the time the only reason the law will not let you have a gun is if you are not permitted (u don't have a permit) or you have some background that is not good.

We all agreed, by who we selected to represent us and the platform such representatives were supporting, that a group of laws would be enacted that would regulate our behavior.

We made this agreement when we voted. And we all agreed that the majority vote would be the vote we would respect.

Actually, no one is telling you what you can or cannot do, you told yourself these things when you voted for our laws. The law that says you cannot own a particular type of gun was YOUR law, the one you agreed to respect when you voted. Don't you remember?