Brits should not have a right to free speech

reply to post by txinfidel

I follow what you're saying and I appreciate it. Trouble is, different nations develop different cultures and have a range of ways of dealing with various issues.

[EDIT: ] I meant to mention that the following is to illustrate the point of freedoms. In speech or other freedoms that we may discuss. In this case, the argument that the right of Americans to bear arms gives British and other people a certain level of safety is not the real issue. The main thing is what we feel and what matters about saying what we feel, that being the subject of the OP. Okay, so to proceed... [END EDIT]

In this case, having read the US Constitution, my understanding is that the second amendment was put in place for good reasons and so for the USA, it is the law about bearing arms. Frankly I don't like to see its intent being eroded for political purposes by some at the expense of many.

Of course there need to be some restrictions. If a person is a known felon, it would be crazy to let them go and buy guns without at least checking if they are likely to stay within the law once they have them. Same goes for people with serious mental problems.

But whittling down what can and cannot be owned by millions of law-abiding citizens, and have been legally owned by them for years? That's what I see as the real issue here. You in the USA have a culture that has been built over years, to include that right you hold so dear. Some see your right to bear arms as a negative, some see it as needful.

I see it as your right and whether it's a good thing or not is impossible for me to be sure about because I don't live there and so there are many aspects of your culture that I don't comprehend.

But I do understand this: if the US Powers-That-Be truly believe the 2nd amendment's wording needs to be altered and that the right it guarantees needs to be drastically curtailed, then they should use the legal process in place to change it. And any proposed changes to it should be put to a vote in Congress (as required by the Constitution), then, if passed, ratified by the required number of US states (as also required by the Constitution).

But until or if that is ever done, then the spirit of that law should be upheld. It doesn't matter if I like that law or not. It's your Law of the Land and it should be respected.

That's my opinion on this matter as a non-American. But what I think doesn't matter at all. It doesn't affect the outcome. Because I am not an American citizen and have no power to vote Congress members in or out of office. I am only saying what I think, and even if I felt the complete opposite, then I'd have just as much right to say so.

And though some will strongly disagree with my opinion, it doesn't bother me at all, because if they argue with me they're wasting their breath. Americans and only Americans will ultimately have to decide how to deal with issue. They can hear opinions from others and consider them, or ignore them completely. It's their decision, not mine or any non-Americans'.

All we wish for is the right to have our say, because that's a right that all should have. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if we disagree with you, because only you and your fellow Americans can do anything about the 2nd amendment issue.