California Assemblymember John J. Benoit recently introduced Joint Resolution 46 in the Assembly that is intended to provide support for a recent Circuit Court of Appeal, for the District of Columbia, decision that is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court, concerning our precious Second Amendment rights.

According to Benoit, ``(t)he Second Amendment provides the crucial right of self-defense guaranteed in the United States Constitution,'' said Benoit. ``As a law enforcement veteran, I understand the need to allow citizens the right to defend their families and property against dangerous criminals.  I urge my colleagues to support our Constitutional rights and send this message of support to the federal government.''

Personally, I could not agree more with John.  He's so right on! As Benoit points out, he was a cop for a long, long time, retiring as the Indio station Captain for the California Highway Patrol, prior to his successful campaign for the Assembly.  As a peace officer, John stood in harm's way to protect the lives and property of strangers.  He did so day after day, irrespective of weather, schedule or potential danger.

As the Indio CHP commander, he grieved alongside the rest of us, as we buried that station's officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty so the rest of us could be a bit safer.  In short, in my humble opinion, John J. Benoit understands the importance of firearms being in the hands of properly trained law enforcement professionals, and law abiding citizens who are mentally sound enough to shoulder such a responsibility.

Our founding fathers understood this as well, taking into account the need for the citizenry to be armed for purposes of self-defense when they wrote the Second Amendment.

Critics of the Second Amendment claim it was written in order for militias to be armed.  However, the very language of the Circuit Court of Appeal clearly dismisses this notion, by stating: " '...the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed'' -- as overriding any collectivist theory. (emphasis added by underlining the word People)"

'The most important word is the one the drafters (of the Bill of Rights) chose to describe the holders of the right -- `the people,''' the appellate court said. " 'That term is found in the First, Second, Fourth, Ninth and Tenth Amendments.'

"Mr. Benoit's resolution requires majority approval in both the California Assembly and Senate before it can be forwarded to Congress and the White House. So, if you support what he is doing, please take the time to tell both your Assemblymember and your state Senator to vote in favor of this critically important constitutional issue. If you approve of the message of this particular blog, please remember to click the Recommend button.  Obviously, I approve or I wouldn't have written this, but I need your help.  Your thoughts? Marty Brhel