THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 24, 1995 TAG: 9505230001
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
The apparent connection of the bombers of the federal building in Oklahoma City with so-called civilian militias made me recall the oath I took when I enlisted and subsequently re-enlisted in the Navy. I swore to defend the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. The foreign enemies were easy to figure, but just who or what domestic enemies were was a little cloudy - until now.
I used to think that these militias were just an excuse for a bunch of people to unwind and play soldier out in the woods on weekends, but actually they have a dangerous agenda - to arm themselves against the U.S. government.
The bombers may or may not have been members of a militia, but evidence seems to point out that these groups attract, train and breed just the type of misfit that could blow up a building and kill babies in the process. The First Amendment gives us all the right to address any grievances against the government in a nonviolent format, and we have the right to vote. Of course, the First Amendment is often abused by speech that inspires intolerance and paranoia.
I'm not saying that right-wing talk-show hosts are directly responsible for the Oklahoma City tragedy, but it wouldn't surprise me to see ``Rush is Right'' bumper stickers on vehicles driven by the bombers and militia members.
Yes, our right to keep and bear arms is guaranteed by the Second Amendment, but militias and other special-interest groups always forget the ``well-regulated'' part.
The framers of the Second Amendment in 1791 couldn't have foreseen the advances in weaponry, the formation of a large well-regulated, well-trained and supplied federal military for the defense of the free state; or state national-guard units similarly equipped; or even federal, state and local police forces.
The existence or need of paranoid, rag-tag, uncontrolled, heavily armed militias is not justified by our Constitution, and they should be carefully monitored. They may very well be the domestic enemy that every member of our military takes an oath against.
JOHN W. CLOSE
Virginia Beach, May 10, 1995 by CNB