J. Michael Malec, in his letter ("Founders never implied treason," Feb. 28), must be oblivious to statements like that from Thomas Jefferson: "The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."
There are literally hundreds more like this from virtually every Founder of (what was) our Republic. Also, the concept that the Constitution does not confer rights but limits government appears to be alien to Mr. Malec and those who agree with him.
The right to keep and bear arms is a "natural right," not one confirmed upon us by any government or governmental agency. All the Second Amendment does is confirm that, in a Constitution that was created to provide for a government of limited powers, delegated to them by the people, the government shall not interfere (or infringe) on this "natural right."
Regarding the use of the word treason, was it "treason" for the people of Russia to rebel against Josef Stalin, for the people of Cambodia to rebel against Pol Pot or for the people of any tyrannical state to rebel against their oppressors?
JIM KRESS
Northville, Mich.
