Protecting The Right To Keep And Bear Arms: A Basic Civil Right

By Assemblywoman Marie Waldron, 75^th District

As a wife and mother, I am a firm believer in the basic human right of self-defense.   In Sacramento, that can often be a minority opinion, something I am doing my best to change. Strangely enough, I believe in my right to defend my family and no amount of political sleight-of-hand or gamesmanship will change that.

As most Firing Line readers know, California’s Legislature has become increasingly unfriendly to our Second Amendment rights. Simply stated, we need more defenders of the Second Amendment in the California Legislature, and aside from my attempts to change the few minds that remain open on this subject, I believe the only way for that to happen is through the election process.

Unfortunately many, perhaps most voters largely ignore state races and concentrate on the seemingly more interesting congressional and presidential contests.  This is folly. While most states are becoming increasingly supportive of the Second Amendment, California is moving rapidly in the opposite direction.

Changing California’s course will require the involvement of concerned citizens. Get to know your Senators and Assemblymembers, contact their offices and talk to their staffs. If you happen to live in a district with a pro-Second Amendment representative, you are one of the fortunate and comparatively few in California. Continue to send faxes and to write letters and emails; this will provide your representatives with the support they may need when debating firearms-related bills in the Capitol.

Importantly, if you live in a district represented by legislators who are anti-Second Amendment, continue to bombard them with faxes, emails, phone calls and letters expressing your support for your basic Constitutional Right to Keep and Bear Arms. As always, be respectful, but be forceful and persistent.

The Second Amendment is not only a basic inalienable right but it enjoys strong majority support among the people as well. Some of your representatives need to be reminded of these facts.

Lastly, become involved in the political process at all levels. We have national elections coming up, with a primary in June and the General Election in November. Yes, the presidency and Congress are extremely important. But the people we send to Sacramento are likely to have a greater and more immediate impact on our Second Amendment rights than anything that happens at the national level.  I cannot stress the importance of supporting with time and money candidates throughout the state who support the Second Amendment.  This election year we have several legislative seats in jeopardy and others that could be added to the pro second amendment roll.

By becoming involved in the electoral process, the triumph of good can be assured and our rights can be secured.

Assemblywoman Marie Waldron, R-Escondido, represents the 75^th Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes the communities of Bonsall, Escondido, Fallbrook, Hidden Meadows, Rainbow, San Marcos, Temecula, Valley Center, and Vista.