Jamie Raskin Hits GOP Solons For Wrong Interpretation Of 2nd Amendment

In a blistering op-ed for the New York Times, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) set the record straight with GOP lawmakers who are playing the 2nd Amendment card to justify the Jan 6 insurrection.

Photo Insert: Raskin called out Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) before singling out Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX) and Lauren Boebert (R-CO) for what he called their championing of the "insurrectionist theory of the Second Amendment."

Raskin, who taught constitutional law before entering Congress, began by calling out Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) before singling out Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX) and Lauren Boebert (R-CO) for what he called their championing of the "insurrectionist theory of the Second Amendment."

Raskin went on to point out that the Constitution already has provisions for insurrections. "The Constitution treats insurrection and rebellion as political dangers, not protected rights," he argued.

"Article I gives Congress the power to 'provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions.' The guarantee clause in Article IV tells the US to guarantee a republican form of government to the states and protect them 'against invasion; and on application of the legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened) against domestic violence.' These provisions followed Shays’ Rebellion, an armed uprising in Massachusetts in the 1780s."

Quoting Gaetz proclaiming the 2nd Amendment, "is about maintaining within the citizenry the ability to maintain an armed rebellion against the government, if that becomes necessary,” Raskin shot back that the Florida Republican is stretching the truth.

"This purported right to overthrow the government means that the people must enjoy access to weapons that are wholly unnecessary for hunting or self-defense, such as military-style assault weapons," the Democratic lawmaker warned before citing Boebert's claim "that the Second Amendment 'has nothing to do with hunting, unless you’re talking about hunting tyrants, maybe.'"

According to Raskin, "Statements such as these were irresponsible enough before Jan. 6. Today, such talk courts disaster. It valorizes the brutality of the worst insurrectionary domestic attack at the Capitol in U.S. history, freezes our ability to pass reasonable gun safety legislation, and justifies even more deadly political violence."

He added: "It is essential to reject the myth that frustrated citizens have a Second Amendment right to raise arms against the government — an outrageous betrayal of our Constitution," he added.

WEEKLY FEATURE : MVP Group Keeps Lights On During Pandemic