Obviously I don't condone the actions of those in Dallas and now Baton Rouge, but isn't this what the 2nd amendment is supposed to be used for according to advocates of the NRA and 2nd amendment rights?
You have a group of people within the black race here in America, that feel like their government has become so oppressive to their rights and so irresponsive to their needs, that their only recourse is violence. Right now they're lashing out at police. Tomorrow? It could be politicians, teachers, and other public employees.
To me, this is becoming an interesting paradox where decades of anti-government rhetoric and pro guns propaganda worshipping the founding fathers and idolizing a time when local militias armed with guns took down a government. Right? This might be the natural consequence of a populace feeling abused and being armed to the teeth.
Aren't these guys acting out in the way that the NRA and the like have suggested we act out if the government becomes oppressive?
Again, I don't condone their actions nor am I advocating for gun control. I just am trying to see through these guys' eyes and understand why they're doing what they're doing. The irrational actions of these black individuals though radical and drastic, I think are an outward manifestation of the black community as a whole. They are feeling desperate and angry at a government that they view as increasingly oppressive. And are merely exercising their 2nd amendment rights in the way that the NRA and 2nd amendment activists have instructed.
I don't think anyone advocates ambushing random government employees. Where is their logic and specific ideology behind it all? What massive faction of people did they recruit and garner support from to shoot some police officers this weekend?
I believe the 2nd amendment to be around for the reasons you say, but it's sooo dated. All those dudes know of a revolution against an oppressive government is the one they had just experienced, which happened over 200 years ago. This isn't how they envision a sort of revolution or acting against an oppressive government imo (but can never know anyway). I think the founding fathers would consider this act to be as egregious as the general public does. Some of the more radical militia groups might agree with your point, but I'm guessing the general population condemns this behavior nearly unanimously, even if the person in question believes to be acting rationally and completely within the limits of his/her moral compass.
Although, this event is quite similar to something that preludes a revolution. Like some Boston Massacre ish or smth.
Anyway, I really believe that if this ish keeps happening, and nothing constructive is done about it again (instead of passing blame and watching the inevitable emergence of more radical groups and ideas - groups and ideas that directly combat each other), the government will flex its muscle even more. I think someday there will have to be a revolution, or we'll all just work for the state.
Clearly, some people have an issue with how the nation is progressing on this particular topic: An awful lot of black lives have been taken in a very questionable and/or egregious manner by law enforcement. Thousands have protested, numerous movements have been developed, and that was all before the most recent wave of shootings. So of course some people are going to start thinking in the manner Thriller discussed (although I doubt it involved elegant rhetoric surrounding the constitution and 2nd amendment - probably more like, "Okay, these people aren't ****ing listening to me/us and we/I need to do something more to make them listen!" (which is the exact same thinking Thriller discussed - it just omits the constitutional rationalization)) cuz for them, it doesn't seem like any of these non-violent movements have worked.
So no, I don't believe the 2nd amendment is meant to condone this particular type of behavior, but that's just my opinion of course. Interpretation may vary.
But, obviously, I agree with Thriller that it shouldn't be a surprise that anyone would think this way.