Fear & Loading: One Nation, Indivisible

by
posted on July 3, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
fireworks2.jpg
There’s an unfortunate polarization in America today, and more than likely, you witness it every day on the news, social media, in school or at work. Most (not all) of what we’re witnessing, however, is only possible because an army of Americans earned our right to free speech and a democratic government more than 200 years ago when they took to arms and permanently deported tyranny. undefined

Many patriots lost their lives to ensure the right to complain, write letters, stage protests (with permits where required), start a social media campaign, call, sit in or walk out. Before our great nation was established, all of the above could land you in jail, result in public floggings, or worse. Thankfully, our forefathers provided the First Amendment, which of course means every side on any issue has real reason to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Fly the flag, attend a parade, extend a hearty greeting—regardless of his or her race, religion, politics, age, social status or economic challenge. This great nation stood together to fight, and win, against the most powerful military in the entire world at the time to secure our freedoms, and when we agree to disagree, yet work together toward the ultimate goal, history shows there’s nothing the United States cannot accomplish.

Even today, there are those who would like to kill Americans, end our way of life, and force us back into servitude. The Fourth of July is an opportune day for them to send a message, and Homeland Security has allegedly issued warnings to law enforcement about potential threats. The Second Amendment guarantees we don’t have to be helpless victims, though, unlike the unarmed and innocent victims claimed abroad recently.

This Saturday let’s broadcast a message that circles the globe in a magnitude that drowns the mutterings of cave-swelling, leech-sucking radicals intent on inflicting terror on all that is free. Raise the colors, have a BBQ, launch the fireworks and forget the animosity. We’re “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Department of Defense photos.

Latest

Stoeger STR-9 Thinline+ pistol
Stoeger STR-9 Thinline+ pistol

New for 2026: Stoeger STR-9 Thinline+ Pistol

Stoeger refines its STR-9 Thinline pistol to be even easier to carry.

Finding The Natural Point Of Aim

Nearly every shooter understands the basic principles of marksmanship: position, grip, sight alignment, breathing, trigger control and follow-through.

Firearm Ownership Reaches New Record

The NSSF estimates there are more than 32 million modern sporting rifles in circulation.

Preview: Hornady 12th Edition Reloading Manual

While the internet offers quick access to information, trusting unvetted recipes for cooking up ammunition is less than ideal, which is why makers of reloading products like Hornady publish thorough books for such tasks.

Review: Bushmaster V-Radicator

The business of dispatching unwanted critters requires a platform capable of a high degree of accuracy. Nuisance animals such as prairie dogs are both small and skittish in nature, meaning that they tend to keep their distance and scurry away upon the arrival of incoming fire.

New for 2026: Smith & Wesson FPC in 5.7x28 mm

The folding carbine line expands to include the 5.7 mm chambering.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.