Opinion
Editors Note: This is a condensed version of Arbalest Quarrel’s longer article “NRA’s Doug Hamlin Is Right: Armed Self-Defense Extends To All Other Rights,” which you can read here.

On May 20, 2024, Doug Hamlin was elected as the NRA’s new Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President. His election comes at a critical time for the NRA and gun owners across America, as the stakes for the upcoming 2024 presidential election could not be higher. In his first message to NRA members, published in the July 2024 issue of America’s 1st Freedom, Hamlin delivered a powerful message:

“We are resolute. We know our mission. We are all in this together . . . There has never been a more important time for us to get back on our feet than right now. The American people want their freedom. No, they demand their freedom. And now the NRA has righted its course . . . Now is the time to come together. Now is the time to be bold.”

Hamlin’s words were more than just a call for unity. They were a call for action. He emphasized that the future of American freedom, and specifically the Second Amendment, depends on what gun owners do in the coming months. His message—“Now is the time to be bold”—resonated deeply with those who understand that armed self-defense is the cornerstone of preserving all other rights.

A Dire Warning

In the October 2024 issue of America’s 1st Freedom, Hamlin expanded on his concerns about the upcoming presidential election, making it clear that the stakes could not be higher. His remarks echoed those of countless other Second Amendment advocates who have long warned that the right to keep and bear arms is under attack like never before.

Hamlin’s address struck a particular chord with Stephen L. D’Andrilli, Co-Founder of The Arbalest Quarrel, who voiced his agreement in the magazine’s “Mail Call” section. D’Andrilli echoed Hamlin’s urgency, stating that if gun owners do not heed this call to action, “all is lost, forever.”

He and his business partners at The Arbalest Quarrel recognize that the liberties hard-fought and won in 1776 have been under assault ever since, and the battle has only intensified in recent years. The forces behind the Biden-Harris administration, D’Andrilli warns, have come dangerously close to achieving their goal: transforming the U.S. into a Marxist dictatorship, ultimately merging it into a global Marxist empire.

Had Donald Trump won the 2020 election, this Marxist trajectory would have been halted. But the 2020 election, fraught with unethical tactics and outright illegal strategies employed by the Democrat Party, ensured a victory for Joe Biden. Many gun owners made the fatal mistake of sitting out that election, and Hamlin and D’Andrilli agree that this must not happen again.

“We need to vote and make sure all gun owners vote,” Hamlin said. “If we do, we will retain our freedom.” His message is clear: the upcoming election in November is the last chance for gun owners to turn the country around.

The Second Amendment: A Keystone to All Freedoms

In his July address, Hamlin described the Second Amendment as a “keystone” to American freedom. Without the right to armed self-defense, he warned, none of the other rights enshrined in the Constitution are secure. The Second Amendment allows Americans to defend their lives, their property, and their freedoms. Without it, every other right is in jeopardy.

Hamlin’s assertion strikes at the heart of the gun rights debate. While some may argue that other rights, like freedom of speech, take precedence, Hamlin rightly points out that the Second Amendment is what guarantees that those rights can be defended. Without the ability to physically defend oneself, freedom of speech and all other rights are hollow.

This perspective directly challenges those who downplay the importance of the Second Amendment. Even within the NRA, voices like John C. Sigler, a Board Member, have argued that the First Amendment holds more significance. In an October 7 article in AmmoLand Shooting Sports News, Sigler claimed that the First Amendment is the bedrock upon which individual freedom is built since it makes democracy possible.

However, D’Andrilli and his partners partially disagree with Sigler’s assessment. While freedom of speech is crucial, it is the Second Amendment that protects all other freedoms. As D’Andrilli succinctly puts it, “No, Mr. Sigler! You are wrong!”

The First Amendment is vital, but it does not stand alone. The right to dissent, to express one’s thoughts freely, and to challenge government authority is ultimately safeguarded by the armed citizenry. Without the Second Amendment, the First Amendment and all other rights can be easily eroded by a tyrannical government. The Second Amendment is what ensures the balance of power between the people and the state.

The 2024 Election: America’s Last Chance

As we approach the November 2024 presidential election, the stakes could not be higher. Hamlin’s message is clear: if gun owners do not turn out to vote for Donald Trump, the country will face a future in which freedom and liberty are extinguished. The forces working behind the scenes to support Kamala Harris are pushing a Marxist agenda that will destroy America’s Constitutional Republic.

D’Andrilli echoes Hamlin’s warning, stressing that this election is the last opportunity to preserve the Republic. “Rarely does a person get a second chance to undo a past horrible mistake,” he says. “We, Americans, do have that chance now.”

If Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, win the White House, the Marxist takeover of America will be complete. The Constitution will be rewritten, the Bill of Rights will be eviscerated, and the free Republic will collapse into despotism and tyranny. Gun confiscation will be at the top of their agenda, and millions of Americans who cherish their right to bear arms will find themselves disarmed and defenseless.

However, there is still time to avert this disaster. As D’Andrilli points out, there are millions of gun owners across the country who have not yet registered to vote. If these gun owners register and vote in November, they can turn the tide of the election and ensure that Donald Trump returns to the White House.

A Divided Nation

The battle for America’s soul comes down to two opposing visions: one that embraces individualism, freedom, and the principles of the American Revolution and another that seeks to impose collectivism, control, and Marxism. Only one of these visions can prevail, and the outcome will determine the fate of the nation for generations to come.

Hamlin understands this reality all too well. His call to action is both a plea and a warning. If gun owners fail to vote in 2024, the consequences will be dire. There will be no third chance to reclaim the White House in 2028. The future of America hangs in the balance, and it is up to the armed citizenry to protect it.

As Hamlin states, “Your freedom is unequivocally on the ballot.”

The NRA’s mission has always been to protect and defend the Constitution, especially the Second Amendment. Since its founding in 1871, the organization has been the oldest civil rights organization in the United States, dedicated to ensuring that Americans retain their right to bear arms. Hamlin seeks to revitalize this mission and remind gun owners that their votes are crucial in preserving the Republic.

The Power of the Armed Citizenry

Throughout history, it has been the armed citizenry that has stood as the ultimate check on government power. From the American Revolution to the present day, the right to armed self-defense has ensured that the people remain sovereign over their government.

In contrast, collectivist regimes—like the one being pushed by the Harris/Walz ticket—have always sought to disarm the population, knowing that an armed citizenry is the greatest threat to their control. If gun owners fail to vote in 2024, they risk losing not only their firearms but also their freedom.

As D’Andrilli and Hamlin emphasize, the Second Amendment is not just about protecting other rights. It is an expression of freedom itself. The armed citizen is the embodiment of liberty, a living testament to the power of the individual to resist tyranny. Without this right, all other rights are vulnerable to government overreach.

Hamlin’s leadership comes at a critical time for the NRA and the nation as a whole. His bold vision for the future of the organization and his unwavering commitment to defending the Second Amendment offer hope to millions of Americans who cherish their right to self-defense.

But this hope can only be realized if gun owners take action. The 2024 election is the last chance to turn the country away from the path of tyranny and toward a future of freedom and liberty. As Hamlin and D’Andrilli have made clear, the time for boldness is now.

Gun owners must vote or risk losing everything!

Final Fight: The Choice is Ours

In the coming days, the future of America will be decided. Will we continue down the path of collectivism and tyranny, or will we reclaim the Republic and restore our freedoms? The answer lies in the hands of gun owners across the country.

Doug Hamlin’s call to action is clear: vote and ensure that Donald Trump returns to the White House. Failure to do so will lead to the destruction of the Republic, the loss of the Constitution, and the end of the Second Amendment.

Gun owners must rise to the challenge, register to vote, and cast their ballots in November. The future of America depends on it.

About The Arbalest Quarrel:

Arbalest Group created `The Arbalest Quarrel’ website for a special purpose. That purpose is to educate the American public about recent Federal and State firearms control legislation. No other website, to our knowledge, provides as deep an analysis or as thorough an analysis. Arbalest Group offers this information free.

For more information, visit: www.arbalestquarrel.com.