“Retired Gen. David Petraeus is teaming up with former astronaut Mark Kelly to form a gun-control advocacy group that ‘respects the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans,'” theblaze.com reports. “Petraeus and Kelly are joined by other military veterans, including retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal and retired Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden, in launching the ‘Veterans Coalition for Common Sense.’ The group’s stated purpose is to urge lawmakers to do more to prevent mass gun tragedies.”
Somehow I don’t think that Veterans for Common Sense will be pleased with the news. Nor anyone who values Americans’ gun rights. Like, say, members of the armed forces who swore an oath to uphold the Constitution, whose Second Amendment prohibition against “common sense gun control” seems pretty clear.
Apparently not. Here’s Kelly’s statement launching the group:
As service members, each of us swore an oath to protect our Constitution and the homeland. Now we’re asking our leaders to do more to protect our rights and save lives.
Protect our rights. Right. Retired Marine Brig. Gen. Stephen Cheney is on board with that interpretation.
I believe that our Constitution affords responsible Americans the right to own guns, but we need to keep dangerous people from having easy access to guns. Felons, domestic abusers, even known terrorists can buy a gun here without something as simple as a criminal background check. This has to stop. Our laws don’t support responsible gun ownership, and far too often guns fall into the hands of dangerous, irresponsible people.
Here’s another founding member’s justification for abandoning his oath [via theguardian.com]:
R Adm Jamie Barnett, a member of the advisory board, said in an emailed statement that his experience as a deputy commander of the navy showed him the extensive training sailors needed to use firearms.
“I saw first-hand the incredible power of firearms, and I know the precautions we taught to keep people safe,” Barnett said. “But I also know the dangers guns pose when they are in the hands of dangerous people.”
What about the danger of military men supporting civilian disarmament?