Why I Support Issue 2: Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms

A Constitutional Right Should Be Clearly Protected

Constitutions exist in part to establish boundaries beyond which government should not easily go. When we recognize something as a fundamental right, the language protecting that right should be clear.

The right to keep and bear arms is about more than hunting or recreation, although both are important traditions in Arkansas. It includes the ability of citizens to defend themselves, their homes, their families, and their communities.

It also reflects a deeper constitutional principle: a free people should not be entirely dependent upon the government for their security or the preservation of their liberty.

I have consistently opposed efforts to treat lawful firearm ownership itself as the problem. Millions of Americans exercise this right responsibly every day. Public policy should distinguish between those citizens and people who use firearms to commit crimes.

Issue 2 reinforces that distinction by expressly protecting the keeping and bearing of arms for lawful purposes.

The Right Must Exist in Practice

Issue 2 also addresses something that can easily be overlooked.

A constitutional protection for firearms would be incomplete if government could circumvent that protection by separately prohibiting the ammunition, components, or accessories necessary for their lawful use.

That is why I support Issue 2's explicit protection for the possession and use of ammunition, firearm accessories, and firearm components.

A right should not exist only on paper. It must have practical meaning.

That principle is not unique to the Second Amendment. Freedom of the press would mean little if government could prohibit the tools necessary to publish. Religious liberty would mean little if government could recognize belief while prohibiting its lawful exercise.

The same principle applies here.

Protecting the right means protecting the lawful ability to exercise it.

Natural. Fundamental. Individual.

Issue 2 would also state clearly that the right to keep and bear arms is a natural, fundamental, and individual right that shall not be infringed. 

I agree with that principle.

I have long described the Second Amendment as an individual constitutional right. I oppose blanket bans on commonly owned firearms, and I do not believe responsible citizens should be treated as suspects simply because they choose to exercise that right.

Our constitutional liberties do not exist because government finds them convenient. They exist precisely because there are areas of individual freedom that government must respect.

That does not mean that someone who uses a firearm to rob, assault, threaten, or murder another person can hide behind the Constitution. The protection of lawful ownership and the punishment of criminal misuse are entirely consistent with one another.

Liberty and Responsibility

Supporting Issue 2 also does not change my belief that rights come with responsibilities.

I support voluntary firearm training, safe-storage education, mental-health resources, crisis intervention, and community-based violence-prevention efforts. I support giving law enforcement the resources necessary to enforce laws against violent crime, illegal firearm possession, and trafficking. And I believe any government action affecting a constitutional right must respect due process.

My approach remains straightforward:

Protect lawful ownership. Promote responsible ownership. Enforce the law against criminal misuse.

We do not make our communities safer by treating responsible gun owners as the problem. We make them safer by focusing our attention on people who actually threaten others, consistently enforcing the laws already on the books, intervening where there is clear evidence of danger, and addressing the conditions that contribute to violence before tragedy occurs.

Constitutional liberty and public safety do not have to be opposing goals.

Liberty exercised responsibly strengthens both freedom and public trust.

Recognizing the Work Behind Issue 2

I also want to thank Gun Owners of Arkansas for their work with the General Assembly to help bring Issue 2 before Arkansas voters, and for the work they continue to do to protect the right to keep and bear arms.

Gun Owners of Arkansas advocated during the 95th General Assembly regarding Article 2, Section 5 and has continued educating Arkansans about SJR 11 and the proposed amendment.

Our political process works best when citizens organize, advocate for what they believe, engage their elected representatives, and ultimately allow the people to decide questions of constitutional importance.

On November 3, Arkansas voters will have that opportunity.

I Will Vote For Issue 2

I believe the right to keep and bear arms is an individual constitutional right.

I believe Arkansans should be able to exercise that right for self-defense, common defense, hunting, recreation, and other lawful purposes.

I believe protecting that right necessarily includes protecting the lawful possession and use of ammunition, firearm accessories, and firearm components.

And I believe our Constitution should speak clearly when protecting the fundamental liberties of the people.

For those reasons, I support Issue 2, and I will vote FOR Issue 2.

With respect for all Arkansans,

Joshua Irby

Paid for by Joshua Irby