I'm going to be completely honest here. I am the reason you need an 'assault' rifle. I am a highly trained and expert marksman in the US Army. With the badges on my ERB to prove it. I am an expert in pistol, rifle, and machine gun use and aerial gunnery .

I am trained in breaching tactics, hand to hand combat, force on force, and have the best equipment your tax dollars can buy. I belong to the most advanced and lethal military force the world has ever known and while I am a man of principles and take my oath to the Constitution seriously, there is no telling what future generations of soldiers will think and believe...If they do at all.

You should not, under any circumstances question my ability to wreak utter destruction upon the enemy. Myself and every soldier, airman , marine, sailor, and coast guardsman are more than capable of destroying the enemy. Whether it's the taliban or a modern and cohesive military force.

The founders of this great nation warned of the dangers of tyrants and the standing Armies they command. The second amendment is and shall always be a testament to their foresight. While I do not believe that todays military could be used in such a manner, what about tomorrows? Things in this country are changing. Beliefs are changing. I see a quantifiable tendency toward ever increasing state and military power, and with that a more collectivist and power hungry form of politics that essentially forces people to choose between the proverbial "lesser of two evils". I see these changes, not just in politics and the media, but in much of our society...Quite frankly, it scares the hell out of me.

The notion that some have that the threat of tyranny is a bygone fear of generations long past is ignorance at best. How anyone can look at the changes I've seen and not see the clear and present dangers to our freedoms, especially since 9/11, is beyond me. I am not a "Truther", but you don't have to be one to see the litany of attacks on our liberties since the Patriot Act was passed. The last 12 years have seen enormous changes in how government and the people express the relationship between them. I don't believe that relationship is what the founders intended, nor is it what the American people really want.

The powergrabs by government have many people concerned. Including people like me. And if I'm worried, should you be too? Why would we trust government that has used that trust to enrich its members and corporate cronies, and for the accretion of ever more power, with the stewardship of our safety? Safety, as well as Liberty will always be the responsibility of the people...The individual, dare I say it. To abdicate that responsibility to government is asking for abuse. Maybe not today. But tomorrow? Do you have that answer? Because I don't.

Whether liberal or conservative or libertarian or anarchist or communist, don't let there be a moment in our history where there was no one left to speak for you. Speak with one American voice.

Because we have a bill of rights, not a bill of needs.

Originally posted by bl4ke360
Because we have a bill of rights, not a bill of needs.

I think you should actually read the OP.

I have both.
Why do people have more than 1 car?
Why do women have more than 1pair of shoes?
Why do people have more than 1 pen or pencil?
Why do people have more than 1 opinion??
Why do people have more than 1 " (insert you favorite somethings)" ???
Because we enjoy these things! We enjoy our freedoms!
It's our right to have quiet enjoyment and enjoy of the fruits of your labor.
And thank G_D we have people like the OP to defend us.

Originally posted by projectvxn

Originally posted by bl4ke360
Because we have a bill of rights, not a bill of needs.

I think you should actually read the OP.

I did read it, I responded to the thread title.

It's people like you who give me that glimmer of hope that it's not time for the fat lady to sing her song just yet.

You have written one of the most lucid, honest and pragmatic appraisals of the relationship between government and the people I've ever read.
Eloquently stated sir.
I am glad there are people of your integrity serving our country.

You're correct about the US military being the most capable armed forces to have ever been, but it should be said that overconfidence is their biggest weakness.

This is honestly what people need to be hearing, but nobody has the balls to stand up and say it. There is no assurance as you stated that those who will comprise our military forces of tomorrow will be anything like you and those who you serve with today.

Well I need my AR for many purposes, they can be used for certain hunting {coyotes and furbearer}, target shooting and other reasons both legal and not of anyone else's business If it ever needs to be it has other uses the gov't and some people may not like or believe in. But after over fifteen years of owning one, I have never had any legal or even idiot issues with my AR. The idiots were quickly figured out and not let to go have the grown up fun with it IF it ever has to be used for unpleasant matters I know how well I can depend on it {hence why I'll go with a 30.6 bolt action if shtf}

OP - may I repost in other places / forums? Thank you for your service and honesty

As for why do we need AK's or AR's ....? to meet overwhelming firepower with a similar overwhelming firepower. The premise of owning weapons is to afford a countermeasure against an out of control government trying to impose their will by having a monopoly on force.

Originally posted by bl4ke360
Because we have a bill of rights, not a bill of needs.

But the constitution states otherwise.

I support responsible gun ownership.