Commentary by Don Perkins
What a crazy title for an opinion article, isn’t it?
For those of us who try to pay attention to what goes on in Washington D.C., the death of Supreme Court Judge Antonin Scalia is of great importance. Judge Scalia was a constitutionalist; he believed that the Constitution was written with great wisdom and foresight; he believed that the Constitution and its amendments were to be interpreted literally, and he believed that none of the three branches of the federal government should have more power than the others, and they should be used for what they were designed for by the framers.
He was an outspoken conservative voice on our nation’s highest court. With Judge Scalia’s passing, the court now has only eight members: four that tend to swing towards the liberal side and four that tend to swing towards the conservative side. The next appointed judge of the Supreme Court can move the court one way or the other. This is a big concern for those of us who believe in the second amendment and gun rights.
Every president wants to leave a legacy from his presidency, and one of President Regan’s legacies was his appointment of Judge Scalia.
President Obama would like nothing more than to have his last legacy as president be the appointment of a liberal judge who could move his gun control platform forward. And just think how quickly a new liberal judge would be appointed if Hillary Clinton is elected.
If either of these scenarios were to take place, as gun owners and second amendment supporters, we will have a long and difficult fight on our hands to keep our gun rights intact.
So, if you think gun rights are important, please get involved in this year’s election cycle.
Because the death of one really does matter to our country.
Don Perkins is the owner of Bare Arms, LLC, 2370 Conner St., in Noblesville. He can be reached at [email protected].
