Amend Canada's laws to protect self defense and allow firearms carry

It is time to "Stand On Guard For Thee"

As I watched the events today in Ottawa unfold, I could not help but feel unsurprised. Indeed, given the recent event in Quebec and events elsewhere across the world, my only surprise was that the violence took this long to reach within our nation. And make no mistake - the violence today and before was of a political and religious agenda, driven to destroy the hard earned peaceful democracy this nation has enjoyed since its birth.

However, my emotions soon turned to anger on a single realization; that this event was happening - or to be more precise, that our nations finest were literally fighting and dying in the very heart of our nation to protect our leaders. Indeed, one could say in a morbid fashion that it was 'fortunate' that these unstable individuals chose to attack one of our nations most heavily guarded and defended locations; and that doing so the casualty toll was low. The realization itself came that, next time? We as Canadians may not be so fortunate. While our political leaders enjoy great security (at considerable financial cost to the nation), these same leaders have repeatedly decreed, both past and present, that we as 'normal' Canadian citizens do not have the RIGHT to defend ourselves should we so wish -- or, should we so NEED to. In fact, as our nations politicians were guided away; sounds of repeated gunfire rang in our nations capital; sounds of violence not heard since the birth of our nation itself. And yet? Were this event to happen in virtually any other place, any of our thousands of schools, hospitals, medical facilities, or even any of our workplaces; virtually none of us as Canadians have the clear cut and solidly established RIGHT to defend our lives and the lives of those around us with the force exerted against us; and certainly do not have the RIGHT to do so with the same means used by those intent on causing harm. The sad truth is, because of laws passed by both past and present political leaders, had this event happened nearly anywhere else; the casualty toll would be dramatically higher.

With this in mind, what would it take to meet this threat to our peaceful way of life? To begin with, I am not suggesting we become a militarized nation. Simply put, our nation is too geographically large and too population small to accomplish this; and further there is the thought that doing so would give credence to the notion of giving those that seek to destroy our way of life what they want. No; the answer is much, much simpler, and would be in fact cost the taxpayer essentially nothing to enact; as it requires merely a few strokes of the pens of the politicians whom have now perhaps come as close to political violence as our founding fathers did all those years ago. This is further simplified by the fact that myself and literally hundreds of thousands of Canadians across this nation are already equipped and have the will to support what I am about to suggest.

The first step is simple - enact in our laws, our Bill of Rights and Constitution the RIGHT of All Canadians of self defense should they so wish it. This is to state, plain and clear, that should a Canadian choose to defend himself, herself, or those around them; that they are protected by law in their actions. This is to be reinforced by the second step - the Right of All law abiding Canadians to bear arms AND carry, both concealed and open, should they so wish. Again, this is not a law requiring Canadians to carry firearms; this is a law PROTECTING Canadians should they so wish to carry. These laws, in short, would allow Canadians to follow through on what we proudly proclaim in our national anthem, "We Stand On Guard For Thee."
Further, I state that we must do this sooner, rather than later. As demonstrated, the violence, the hatred to our way of life is already within our borders; has already stained our nations capital with the blood of both those that would seek to destroy us, and those whom choose to stand for us. I also state that we NEED to do this, as next time, we may not have heroes like Cpl. Nathan Cirillo and Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers to stand for us. Indeed; it may next time be us as Canadian citizens standing for them.

Thank you for your time.