Gun Adovocate Explains 2nd Amendment History

By Connect Mason Reporter Edwin Mora

Concealed Carry on Campus Week, hosted by College Republicans, kicked off last night in the Johnson Center with guest speaker Larry Pratt, president of the Gun Owners of America. Pratt focused on the history of individual sovereignty and the idea of militia as outlined in the 2nd Amendment of the United States Constitution.

“There is no authority for regulating guns in the constitution,” said Pratt, “The federal government doesn’t have any business telling a sovereign citizen how or if they can own a gun to protect themselves.”

Pratt said history's George Mason supported a well-regulated militia, though stated that this did not mean all the regulations imposed by the federal government today. Instead, Mason believed "a well-regulated militia is something that people would do themselves,” said Pratt. “150 years of colonial history stated that every man had to own a working gun or be fined. Since everyone owned a gun, the new government [United States] was able to shoot back and win against Britain.”

Today’s regulations, however, are in direct contrast with the past's idea of a militia, according to Pratt. He stated the government initiated gun licensing to keep undesirable minorities from owning guns, but that was then and now the law will not prevent people from acquiring guns.

“Background checks and licensing will not stop a criminal from doing what they do - break the law,” said Pratt.

Sophomore math major Shane State believes in the right to carry guns on campus. "I thought it was very informative," said Shane about the Pratt's lecture, "He was very knowledgeable."

Also present at the gathering was Andrew Dysart, an Administration of Justice senior and leader of the GMU Concealed Carry on Campus. “I think the information provided is good awareness for the issue of guns on campus," said Dysart, who stated that his organization is not officially recognized by the university.

• For more information about Gun Owners of America, a no-compromise gun rights association headed out of Washington D.C., visit here.

• For more information on the second amendment visit here, here, and here.

• For more information on George Mason and his contributions in the Constitution, visit here.