YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM IF ………

You have not registered to vote; you felt your vote didn't make a difference; in the next election you’re not voting

Ex-Secret Service Agent Dan Bongino gave this speech February 9 at Maryland's capitol grounds in Annapolis, for the Guns Across America Rally for the 2nd Amendment.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS GUN CONTROL, THERE IS ONLY PEOPLE CONTROL
I never, ever arrested or investigated someone on a gun crime, who had that gun legally!

By Dan Bongino

Ladies and gentlemen, there is no such thing as Gun Control—don’t co-opt their language—there is only people control. And I can prove it to you.

I spent 16 years of my life with a badge on my chest— which proved as a target for some, unfortunately—I don’t remember ever having the conversation, during my years in the Secret Service, "Hey, listen, we’re taking the President to Boston, or Chicago… So, let’s disarm because they have really strict gun control laws."

[crowd laughter]

Now, why is that funny? The reason is, it’s funny because it’s funny! I never, in 15+ years of doing this, ever arrested or investigated someone on a gun crime, who had that gun legally! So, you have to ask yourself: “Why?” It is not about gun control! Do not co-opt the language! When they own the language, they own the argument. There is a reason they are doing this.

You know, folks, it may disappoint some here, but you know, I could have carried a gun, the entire time, anywhere in the United States, on planes, anywhere I chose. I didn’t. That was my choice. It may have been a foolish one, but it was my choice.

It was my choice. It was my God-given right to be able protect myself and my family. It was my right, not given to me by a piece of paper, only ensured by that piece of paper [the Constitution]. That is not up for debate!

The right to petition, the right to assemble—so beautifully on this day—the right to speech is not given to you by the Governor or the President of the United States! [applause] That is not his to give! And if it is not his to give, it is not his or hers or anyone else’s to take away! [applause] Anyone!

Ladies and gentlemen, we are in perilous times. You know, I’m just a man, my spirit’s been almost broken over this. This is our country. That flag represents something. Men and women have died horrible deaths—horrible deaths!—my uncle being one of them, shot in the back in Vietnam, to protect your very right, your liberty, your decision to be able to protect your family!

We live, unfortunately—and, Lord, it pains me to say this—but we live in a society of wolves! You do not fight back by creating more sheep! [applause]

These are tough times, folks. And I want to leave you with this thought. Our Revolution was one of the only revolutions in human history, where those who defeated our enemies and took power, created a document that dis-empowered them. Here, on this soil, in this country, in this collective group of people we call the beautiful United States.

It pains me to say this. I’m not a right-wing nut-job. I’m not a xenophobe. I’m not a misogynist. I’m just a man. I’m just a guy who wants to live, and let live. I don’t mind paying taxes for our military. I will give you my last dollar to fund our beautiful veterans who come home missing parts of their body, if they come home at all. [applause]

But ladies and gentlemen, to use your tax dollars to fund a government that every day, whittling more and more of your ability to live and let live is not what the people who died and bled for her meant this country to be! It is not what [the flag] represents. It is not a piece of fabric, it is not a tablecloth, that is an idea. An idea that is unique to this place, right now, right here.

Act. Do not talk. Action matters. This speech is meaningless without action.

If you here are not registered to vote, you are not part of the problem, you are the problem! [applause] And I’m sorry if you don’t want to hear that! If you didn't show up because it was chilly, or you felt your vote didn't make a difference, you’re the problem! If you are not out here today, finding some way in your sphere of influence to echo-chamber this message to 20 or 30 people, you’re the problem! And if in this next election, in 2014, you’re not volunteering, or you’re not talking, or you’re not registered, or you’re not voting, you’re the problem.

Action matters. Action changes the world. Talk is cheap. Your liberty is not.