An overview of H.R. 45: Blair Holts Firearm Act:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-45

An overview of District of Columbia V. Heller
http://www.scotuswiki.com/index.php?title=DC_v._Heller

Knowledge is infinite. Knowledge is power. Knowledge is the truth and the power to overcome obstacles.

As I look around me everyday I see fear. I see fear expressed on people’s faces and I hear it in their voices. I ask myself, “where is all this fear coming from?” And, I wonder if all this fear is rational. It is important to remember that good decision making comes with a reasonable assessment of threats.

The concept of threat is what I want to address and what I want you to take from this encounter. There is one thing that I know about human behavior and motivation: Either real or perceived, a threat triggers a chemical response in the brain and body. A threat may not be real, but if a person perceives something as a threat the perceived threat is very real to that person and triggers the same physiological response.

In regard to firearms, a gun pointed at you is a real threat and your fear is rational. This is true no matter who you are or where you are from. I want you to think about this for a moment. I am not here to preach to the choir. I know what side of the Second Amendment you are on. I am here to ask you to consider the great responsibility that is attached to the freedom the Second Amendment grants us.

I am not here to add to your fear of losing your right to keep and bear arms. There is enough of that. Are there people out there who want to take firearms out of the hands of citizens? Yes… Of course. I question the rationality of our fear of loosing our right to keep and bear arms. I guess I just know that no one is going to try to take a firearm from my hands without killing me first.

Therefore, I see our work in supporting the Second Amendment as more of a marketing or publicity campaign. There are a few things I know that I want to share with you:

1. The subject of firearms has been a topic of passionate discussion since their invention. As we work to restore liberty, we will be asked to address firearms and their uses. We all have opinions and ideas about firearms. People base their opinions on experiences with firearms or what they have been told about them. It is in the interest of liberty that we detach ourselves from the passion and emotion that the subject of firearms evokes. It is important that we speak without judgment because our listeners are ready to defend their positions on the subject. Find a common ground. People are more receptive to what you say if they know that you understand their position. Please know that if someone is afraid of your position you will never win them over to your side. When you are calm and confident in your behavior and beliefs people see your strength. When your actions are inspired by that which is good you will inspire others and not perpetuate fear.

I know how frustrating it is to hear the news about things like the Blair-Holt Firearm Act. We see proposals like this as a threat. Whether or not bills like the Holt act are real threats depends upon us and how we oppose these bills. We can get angry and react out of fear, or we can remember that a bill is only a bill until it becomes law.

In order to keep the freedoms that we have we must exercise them. This brings me to ask: How are you going to exercise your right to keep and bear arms? Are you going to make a political statement, or are you going to act out of authenticity? I ask this because I know this:

Owning a firearm is one of the greatest freedoms we have in this country. However, with this freedom comes a responsibility. BEFORE YOU EVER PICK UP A FIREARM YOU MUST:

1. Know how to use it.
2. Intend to use it.

Those are the rules to possessing firearms. They are not toys (although some collectors may disagree). Anything else is just showing your ass and can get someone hurt.

If you had not had mentoring and education in the use of firearms I urge you to peruse your interest. There are taxpayer funded centers all across the state of Missouri. (I apologize for not being able to speak for what is available in Kansas. However, I am positive that Kansas offers just as much as Missouri).

http://mdc.mo.gov/hunt/huntered/
http://www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/ranges/

I would also like the address the issue of militia. Constitutional scholar and attorney, Dr. Edwin Vieira, gives a very clear report on what the Constitution offers. “Nothing other than a well-regulated militia is necessary for a free state.” According to Vieira, the Constitution does not say anything else is necessary for a free state. Not Congress, not the Presidency, not the Senate. A well-regulated militia is all we need to ensure a free state.

Section 311 of US Code Title 10, entitled, “Militia: composition and classes” says;

(a) The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.

(b) The classes of the militia are —
1. Thee organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the Naval Militia; and
2. The unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard or Naval Militia.

To put it more succinctly: The militia is a part of our government, outlined in our constitution. This means that it is of, for, and by the people. That makes us all members of the militia. Now, I beg to question… How will we represent ourselves?

We are all being called speak on the issue of firearms. It is our responsibility to hear people’s concerns regarding firearms. It is our responsibility to address these concerns in a manner that does not evoke fear.

People fear what they do not understand. It is our duty to help people understand that firearms are necessary to our society for many reasons. If we speak with respect and we speak the truth we will be free to own our firearms without fear of losing them.

Your friend in liberty,
Renea McMasters