The right to use weapons

[seafury]

I'm living in Mexico, the loony dictator in turn, has raised the taxes up to the 50%, terminated many jobs, and put the country in almost bankrupcy, the criminals runs the streets, even if a crime is goin on, the police never arrives, until the shoot is on, the smallest street gang has automatic pistols, but is a severe crime if a citizen had a weapon in their house, anyone bravest enought to protest is shoot to death in their home or dissapear misteriously in the night, the mass media obeys any order of the government.

Because this many mexicans flee the country, arriving as foreign aliens, to America, without papers, risking their life in the desert, working in any place, any hour, any time.

So, as a human beings we have the right to defend ourselves?, or die quietly, when the people need to take charge of their own destiny?, can the right to defend ourselves, start breaking the mexican law, or is a natural right?.

From the hell, greeting free world.

[priyaa161]

I'm living in Mexico, the loony dictator in turn, has raised the taxes up to the 50%, terminated many jobs, and put the country in almost bankrupcy, the criminals runs the streets, even if a crime is goin on, the police never arrives, until the shoot is on, the smallest street gang has automatic pistols, but is a severe crime if a citizen had a weapon in their house, anyone bravest enought to protest is shoot to death in their home or dissapear misteriously in the night, the mass media obeys any order of the government.

Because this many mexicans flee the country, arriving as foreign aliens, to America, without papers, risking their life in the desert, working in any place, any hour, any time.

So, as a human beings we have the right to defend ourselves?, or die quietly, when the people need to take charge of their own destiny?, can the right to defend ourselves, start breaking the mexican law, or is a natural right?.

From the hell, greeting free world.

OMG. Very pathetic condition there. Obviously I'd never encountered any such situation and never even heard in my country. Every thing I'll write is just from some knowledge I gained from movies.

So, as a human beings we have the right to defend ourselves?

Yes. You have the right but what you wanna do? Do You wanna kill them? Do you think you'll survive if do so. What You think is more important; money or life?

BTW, I think You can get license to keep weapons for personal safety. Don't know what exactly the rules to get it but I know that every country provides this license.

The only option I can see is to leave your country and settle down in any other country.

No offense but never heard of any such news on television or newspaper.

[carl6969]

A lot of the news in the United States is currently related to Mexico. Immigration, drugs, violence, gangs, border security. Texans, living in a state bordering Mexico, are particularly interested in the various problems currently happening in Mexico. I am quite sympathetic with the vast majority of Mexican citizens who simply want to live their lives in peace but are frequently unable to do that due to the widespread corruption and violence in that country. Only a few years ago I was making regular visits to various parts of Mexico and greatly enjoyed the people, culture, and food. I am very disappointed that Mexico is far too dangerous to visit at this time.

In the United States our Constitution gives us the right to keep in bear arms and many U.S. citizens, (including myself), do keep arms for hunting and / or self defense. We try to restrict who is able to legally own firearms and certain other weapons, prohibiting possession of weapons by convicted felons. drug addicts, mentally incompetent people, and people convicted of violent crimes. The system used to enforce these restrictions has only limited effectiveness, but it helps a little.

Even though I hope I never have to face such a situation, I am prepared to defend my life by whatever means necessary, including weapons if the situation deteriorates to the point where that is the only option left. Laws in my country and my state allow me to defend myself with weapons and deadly force when confronted and threatened by weapons. While I am unfamiliar with Mexican law, it appears, based on your statements, that Mexican citizens do not have a legal right to use weapons to defend themselves. That is very unfortunate considering the current state of affairs in Mexico. However, I do believe that human beings, wherever they live, do have a natural right to defend their own lives by whatever means necessary.

[truthguild]

and that's why i'm glad for the second ammendment to the U.S. Constitution.
"A well regulated militia, being necesary to a free state,
the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
not a lot of words - just very specific ones. at the time of drafting, the word "regulate" meant "to make regular" rather than "to restrict" (thus noted that none of the bill of rights provides power to the government).
it should be also noted that it's the right of the people that shall not be infringed, not the right of he militia. why did the authors word it this way? because they just fought a bloody war to overthrow a tyranical government and they knew that someday in the future, they just might have to do it again - and the people need arms to do so.
to quote thomas jefferson "When the government fears the people, there is liberty.* When the people fear the government, there is tyranny."
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. It is it's natural manure."
am i actually talking about the violent overthrow of a governemt? yes. and i thank the liberty of free speech that allows me to do so.

[carl6969]

Considering the current state of affairs in Mexico I cannot help but wonder if perhaps the people of Mexico should ponder the history of the United States shortly before the American Revolution and then consider an appropriate reaction to the problems they are facing at this time.

[fractalfeline]

Dang! Everyone just about said what I was going to say, and more eloquently than me to boot

I suppose I will add, for another dimension on the issue, that I bet that the new Arizona Law doesn't make matters any easier for Mexicans who might think about fleeing Mexico for the relative safety and prosperity of America. At least, not to Arizona. I'm wondering if Arizona is setting a prescedent that other southwestern states might adopt. Like, Texas, considering how Conservative it is.

Now, while I'm proud of my country and the freedoms it offers, and all that the Statue of Liberty stands for (give us your poor, weak, hungry, etc.), and while I think the situation in Mexico is terrible, we cannot be the safe haven for the entire country. At some point, Mexican citizens will have to figure out a way of solving their own problems. Unfortunately that's kinda difficult, if, as you say, laws forbid citizens from arming themselves against the criminals and corrupt officials alike. Though I'd imagine there's a black market there just as much as there is here... I'm sure there's plenty of arms dealers who would happily supply an armed insurrection if it ever got organized and got sufficient resources. Easier said than done I'd imagine.

Though I must say, I'm laughing my butt off about Arizona shooting itself in the foot economically. Illegals occupy the lowest end jobs that no one wants. Arizona will be hard pressed to find people willing to work so hard, so long, in such bad conditions, for so little. Apparently resident Mexican-Americans are boycotting businesses in Arizona. Bahahaha!

One more note: I have heard that much of the criminal element in Mexico has something to do with the drug trade. Without demand there'd be no market... if everyone would just stop using drugs in America then I'd imagine the situation in Mexico would improve. Yeah, that's gonna happen. On a related note: if America were to put trade restrictions on Mexico on the condition that normal trade will not resume until Mexico fixes its situation and guarantees some basic rights to its citizens... ok, that idea was so ridiculous I had trouble finishing it properly. Bahahaha!

We could always "liberate" and "bring democracy" to Mexico. Like Iraq! Yeah!!

[carl6969]

I'm wondering if Arizona is setting a prescedent that other southwestern states might adopt. Like, Texas, considering how Conservative it is.

In my opinion the controversial Arizona law you are referring to is little more than a "statement". Police currently have the right to stop and question people for probable cause. And they have the right to detain a person whom they suspect of violating Federal immigration laws.

[descalzo]

And they have the right to detain a person whom they suspect of violating Federal immigration laws.

And how do they "suspect" that?

And how does the person prove his "innocence" to the officer?

And Texas won't pass any similar law. The Republicans always kill them when they come up in the Texas Legislature. Too many influential companies rely on the cheap labor.

[carl6969]

And how do they "suspect" that?
And how does the person prove his "innocence" to the officer?
And Texas won't pass any similar law. The Republicans always kill them when they come up in the Texas Legislature. Too many influential companies rely on the cheap labor.

These are all very good points which I completely agree with. I was simply attempting to make the point that the Arizona law in question is meaningless because a very similar Federal law already exists. Arizona accomplished nothing by passing that law except to enrage a large number of people from many ethnic backgrounds.

[rlodge]

Of course you have the right to defend yourselves. Everyone on the planet should feel secure in their life and be able to pursue a life of liberty and happiness. I can't say that know what you're going through because I can't even find a point of reference to compare what you're going through. I'm not saying I don't care, I really do wish your situation were better, but I just can't grasp how terrible your situation must be. I've never been in a situation remotely like the one you describe.

Though I must say, I'm laughing my butt off about Arizona shooting itself in the foot economically. Illegals occupy the lowest end jobs that no one wants. Arizona will be hard pressed to find people willing to work so hard, so long, in such bad conditions, for so little. Apparently resident Mexican-Americans are boycotting businesses in Arizona. Bahahaha!

Is this really the case? Jobs that no one else will do? Or is it more of the case that these are jobs no one else will do for the wages offered? I believe that with 9.7% unemployment (the last time I heard a percentage) that there would be many people willing to do those jobs. It's just that employers want to pay nothing for services rendered and are ripping off the workers they have. I believe that if proper wages were offered for these positions, there would be more competition for these jobs between Americans and immigrants. (Note - I didn't say illegal immigrants or specify any nationality here.) When employers can use the INS as a tool to keep these people working for substandard wages, these jobs will not be taken by American citizens. For all I know, they may not even be offered to American citizens. Ever been told you're overqualified for a job?

One more note: I have heard that much of the criminal element in Mexico has something to do with the drug trade. Without demand there'd be no market... if everyone would just stop using drugs in America then I'd imagine the situation in Mexico would improve.

I fail to understand why everyone thinks that us evil Americans are the only ones in the entire world that use illicit drugs and are the only cause of the problems in Mexico. No one in Great Britain, Germany, the entire South American and African continent or anywhere else on the globe uses drugs that could be supplied from Mexico? Also, there are two parts to supply and demand. Remove the supply and demand will fall. I believe that the supply portion would fall back on the Mexican authorities, would it not?