"Second Amendment Rights"

I am an American gun owner.Every five years I have to renew my F.O.I.D. card , a requirement to own and purchase a firearm. There are hundreds of thousands of people just like me all over the United States . We all have different reasons for owning weapons , some are hunters , some are peace officers , some want them for target shooting , and still others want them for home protection. The second amendment to our constitution gives our citizens the right to keep and bear arms , yet there is a segment of the population that is adamant about resending that constitutional right. Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago is a vociferous opponent of gun rights , as is Barack Obama , both men believe taking guns away from honest citizens will help control gun violence in our nation. Although this is a laudable goal , it is based on the premise that the legitimate gun owners are the people committing the majority of the acts of violence connected with firearms. The basic right of self protection is something that resides in the innermost feelings of all individuals , we will protect those people in our lives who are most precious to us. The right to defend our household from violent intruders , be they rapists , killers , or child molesters ; we all have the right and the obligation to those we love to protect them with whatever means are available to us. Police response time is usually at least 15-20 minutes to most calls , in that time how much damage do you think a felon can do i? If you live in a rural area response time for the police is multiplied , and if you add in the road conditions during inclement weather you are left virtually defenseless. Criminals don't carry F.O.I.D. cards , they don't pass a background check , they don't go to legitimate firearms dealers to purchase their weapons of choice. The idea of taking firearms out of the hands of honest citizens to limit crime is ludicrous . Let's see how many "Crips or Bloods" are willing to surrender their weapons in the interest of public safety . Armed honest citizens are a benefit to a free society , they are responsible and courageous , willing to step up in situations when law enforcement can't be there in a timely manner. As noble as the idea of gun control sounds , it is a mistake in a society in the real world , crime will continue , and without an armed citizenry criminal's will only be emboldened. We must act to protect our second amendment rights before it's too late. Don't allow another piece of our constitution be destroyed Mr.Obama , the people won't stand for it!