"Ask the Rabbi" by R. Mermelstein
QUESTION: Dear Rabbi
Mermelstein:
I read your response to the question on the Gun Owners Alliance site about global disarmament. Concerning the statement you made:
We are all scattered throughout the U.S., so I would have to face the
Gun Confiscation Squad by myself when they came to my door to relieve
me of my firearms. At least I would meet my end with dignity, not as a
serf in a feudal system.
The recent action in the Senate concerning gun control has alarmed me
greatly. I fear that things will move faster and faster towards
disarmament now that the generation of Godless, uninhibited children is
beginning to come of age (as witnessed by the recent rash of school
shootings and similar problems).
Five years ago I would have thought it would be decades before we might
have to stand and fight, but I am forced to come to a different
conclusion today. There are many influential people in our
government today that seek to make us defenseless as quickly as
possible.
I suppose my question is this: do you think the time will come when we
should assemble ourselves, provided we have the time? In the
words of one of the founders of our country, "If we don't all hang
together, we shall all hang separately." When is our government
so far out of control that we must rise up and put it in check? I
know such an action would be considered dangerous, crazy, secessionist,
you name it, by many. Personally I think things will have to get
really bad before I would up and fight my government in order to
preserve my liberty, but I have had to ask myself am I willing to do
that? And I think the answer must be yes.
Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read this.
Thanks,
Alan McIntyre
28 May 1999
ANSWER: Dear Sir,
The conditions that the Founding
Fathers outlined for the organized overthrowing of a sitting government
require, by myself, at least, a great deal more study. Gun
confiscation, door to door style, has already happened in Public
Housing projects. I'm not confident in groups of true patriots waging
war against the U.S. Government, nor do I advocate it at the present
time. As you seem to say, it will be a decision that you alone will
need to make. Will you be a passive victim of mandated disarmament or
die rather than disarm? No small decision. And no amount of bravado
talk before that time comes will indicate what you will really do. Will
you stand up to a firing squad of a half dozen Federal agents pointing
weapons at you and your family? You can't win. Will you meekly obey and
disarm? What will you see the next time you stare into a mirror? Think
about it. I certainly do. Frequently.
Sincerely,
R. Mermelstein
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