Defend the Second Amendment

Our founding fathers, the men who played major roles in uniting our country, all had something to say about our right to bear arms. Here are a few staple quotes from three of our American revolutionary leaders. 

“I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.”
- Thomas Jefferson in a letter to James Madison, January 30, 1787

“The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country.”
- James Madison in I Annals of Congress 434, June 8, 1789

“A free people ought  not only be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite; and their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories as tend to render them independent of others for essential, particularly military, supplies.”
- George Washington in the First Annual Address to Congress, January 8, 1790

Over 200 years later, we continue to defend the second amendment that proclaims American citizens possess the right to keep and bear arms. While the constitution guarantees our freedom, many gun control efforts serve to disband this fundamental right of law-abiding American citizens. April’s Freedom Flyer aims to preserve Americans’ right to protect themselves, loved ones, and fellow Americans from threats. Let’s celebrate our right to defend ourselves!

Military Birthdays to Celebrate This Month

Air Force Reserve Birthday - April 14

Happy 74th birthday to the United States Air Force Reserve! This component of our military was created on April 14, 1948, when the Army Air Corps reserve was transferred to the Air Force. Yet, you can trace the history of the Air Force Reserve back to the National Defense Act of 1916. Today almost 70,000 American men and women serve in the Air Force Reserve on flying missions and specialized missions as Hurricane Hunters and Pararescue men. Make sure you thank your United States military members on this special day!

 

Army Reserve Birthday - April 23 

This year we’re celebrating the 114th birthday of the United States Army Reserve. On April 23, 1908, the predecessor to the Army Reserves, the Medical Reserve Corps, was founded. This was later reorganized by Congress as the Army, National Guard, and Organized Reserve, which later turned into the Army Reserve. Today, over 188,000 service members form the Army Reserve, whose mission is to provide the Army and Joint Force with soldiers and units ready for combat. Don’t forget to celebrate your special Army Reserve members on this day!

 

Old Southern Brass’s Monthly State of the Union: In the News

The Pandemic Improves in the United States

Our country has made incredible progress amidst our battle against COVID-19. While the pandemic continues to affect the lives of many Americans, our healthcare workers, government, and citizens have all worked together to limit the spread of the virus. With cases, hospitalizations, and deaths declining across our country, many businesses are resuming normalcy once again. Vaccination and booster rates significantly lower these once terrifying numbers and allow for the lifting of mask mandates in many states. I don’t know about you, but it feels pretty refreshing to go hiking and grocery shopping without a piece of cloth covering my face!

You can stay up to date on the latest COVID-19 trends and news on CDC’s website.

 

How Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Affects United States Military

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a prime illustration of outlying threats to our country and why many of us wholeheartedly defend the second amendment. Let’s all take a moment to feel resounding gratitude for our right to bear arms. How could our military protect American citizens from dangerous threats without the second amendment? 

With President Biden supplying hundreds of millions of dollars of security assistance to Ukraine, the United States is gaining involvement with this conflict. You can check out a detailed supply list of weapons, ammunition, aircraft, security systems, and more here. 

To further defend Ukraine, U.S. air defense systems in eastern Poland serve to ward off Russian aggression. In addition to the deployment of two Patriot missile batteries, there are now 100 U.S. soldiers in operation with the Patriot system and over 12,000 U.S. troops supporting NATO as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues. About 11,000 of these troops are deployed soldiers.

Military History Highlight: Civil War in April

Enough talk of the present (which can be rather suffocating at times). Let’s dive into the past to further honor our right to defend ourselves with guns and ammo. The month of April carries notable military events from the past that are worth recalling and celebrating. Shall we jump back into the Civil War, a time when our unified country was most rigorously divided?

 

The Civil War began on April 12, 1861.

In the early 1860s, the clean soil many of us stand on in America today was layered with blood, sweat, tears, and ammunition. The Civil War began on April 12, 1861, a day that ignited our country’s bloodiest war. With an estimated 360,000 Union deaths and 258,000 Confederate deaths, our country potentially lost over 600,000 American soldiers in battle. However, the exact death toll remains a mystery, and some believe casualties reached 850,000. For reference, the second-highest American death rate in war was around 400,000 during a bloody World War II.

Popular weapons used during the Civil War included the Henry Repeating Rifle, Springfield Model 1861 Rifle, model 1857 12-pounder Napoleon, model 1861 Colt Navy revolver, and model 1861 Rifled Musket. While rifles made up the largest weapon source, soldiers also encountered the occasional bayonet blast or cavalry saber stab.

Though our right to bear arms led us to destroy each other during the Civil War, we did manage to abolish slavery and grant citizenship and voting rights to many formerly enslaved people. It was a start, but our country had a long way to go regarding equality after the war ended in 1865. 

 

The Battle of Shiloh raged on April 6-7, 1862.

The violent Battle of Shiloh was a significant April crusade that raged on the 6th and 7th of the month in 1862. The defeat of Confederate forces in southwestern Tennessee allowed Union forces to advance into the Mississippi River Valley.

On April 6, the Confederate infantry stormed out of the woods, catching Union troops off guard. After two days of counterattacks, falling back, more counterattacks, and naval artillery support, Union soldiers managed to kill Confederate commander Johnston (a turning point in the war) and force their troops to surrender.

 

The Civil War ended on April 9, 1865.

April was a significant period within the four gory years of the Civil War, as the war both started and ended during this rainy spring month. Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia on April 9, 1865. However, it took many weeks after this date for Confederate troops to finally lay down their weapons and accept defeat. Once the seceded states rejoined the Union, peace finally settled over our country.

 

What’s Coming in April at Old Southern Brass?

In addition to a shiny, golden second amendment-themed deal later this week, we’re bringing you a special opportunity that will keep you conveniently updated on all of our latest deals, events, and newest products. It’s so convenient that you won’t even have to move a single muscle (aside from your scroll-happy thumb…). Stay tuned; this opportunity will be on its way to your inbox later this month!