The Massachusetts Libertarian Party has adopted several resolutions over the past two months designed to establish both a position and series of strategies for the party moving forward on relevant issues of liberty.
While resolutions by a political party — like platform positions — are often overlooked, or even ignored, by party members going forward, these are divergent from past party resolutions in an important way. First, it should be stressed that establishing a case against gun control itself is not new, nor on the surface do resolutions by party leaders actually do anything to make gun control laws imposed upon civilians less likely.
What’s unique about these resolutions which we’ve been publishing in on this blog over the past couple of days is the call for citizen resistance and direct citizen action against these unconstitutional and invalid laws using Jeffersonian nullification, Madisonian interposition, and civil disobedience in the style of Massachusetts’ own Henry David Thoreau. For the first time in party history, the Libertarian Party of Massachusetts is not limiting itself to purely electoral and ballot measure means toward securing liberty; we’re seeking out full-spectrum peaceful resistance to government overreach. And we’re asking our members to take non-violent action directly, by themselves, and in concert with others who are willing.
The form of the resolutions is pretty simple: They cite a series of constitutional texts as supports for our position defending natural liberty of all people, followed by a recommended course (or courses) of action against immoral and illegal actions by government.
Here’s the full text of the resolution on gun control the state committee adopted:
Whereas: Article 17 of the Massachusetts Constitution, in the Declaration of the Rights of the Inhabitants of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, recognizes that “the people have a right to keep and to bear arms for the common defense.”
Whereas: Article 6 paragraph 2 of the United States Constitution reads: “This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in the Constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding.”
Whereas: Article 6 paragraph 3 of the United States Constitution reads: “The senators and representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.”
Whereas: The 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution reads: “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
Whereas: The 9th Amendment to the US Constitution reads: “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.” Which includes – the right to self-preservation, preservation of property and preservation of rights.
Whereas: Title 18 U.S. Code § 242 – Provides punishment for deprivation of rights under color of law or all in the employment of government.
Now, Therefore: The Libertarian Party of Massachusetts proclaims that the practice of gun control null, void, notwithstanding and absolutely forbidden within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and that any government official practicing gun control henceforth by its name or other imagined usurpation of the people’s rights shall be understood to be in violation of her or his oaths of office, shall be given no deference by the party, and that the Libertarian Party of Massachusetts shall offer support to those who act against and to nullify these unjust practices.
Adopted unanimously (9-0 vote) by the state committee of the Libertarian Party of Massachusetts on July 13, 2022.