SAF Says You First

The Second Amendment Foundation suggested that foes of guns should be the first ones to give up their own guns. That would include the guns of their bodyguards and other security personnel. I know this idea isn't new but it is good to see a major gun-rights organization adopt this position.

From their release:

BELLEVUE, WA - The Second Amendment Foundation today challenged the nation's leading opponents of gun ownership to "lead by example" and give up their own firearms and armed security before expecting the citizens, for whom they work, to surrender their ability to defend themselves.

"It seems clear from the direction the administration is going that it wants to severely restrict the rights of law-abiding gun owners to purchase the firearms of their choice, "said SAF Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb, "and we think they should demonstrate their belief in their own programs by giving up their firearms and security first.

"That would include Joe Biden's shotguns," he added, "and the armed security now enjoyed by Senators Chuck Schumer and Dianne Feinstein, and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi.

"It would especially apply to President Obama," he continued, "who just signed legislation giving himself Secret Service protection for life, at the expense of taxpayers he wants to disarm."

Gottlieb said the same principle should apply to anti-gun celebrities who have bodyguards while supporting legislation that would deprive average citizens from owning firearms for personal protection.

"For example," he noted, "when I appeared with CNN's Piers Morgan recently, he asserted that nobody needs an AR-15. The other day near Houston, a Texas teenager used an AR-15 to defend himself and his 12-year-old sister from a home invasion by shooting two burglars. Piers can choke on that."

Gottlieb believes that public figures have no right to suggest gun bans for private citizens unless they first voluntarily give up their personal security.

"These anti-gun politicians were not elected to positions of royalty," Gottlieb said. "They are citizens, with no more rights than any other citizen. They were elected to serve the public, not treat the public like serfs. If they want us to put our safety at risk, they should drop the pretense and give up their guns and guards before daring to suggest that anyone else do the same."