Newsletter 817 ~ don’t forget to subscribe!

Why Fourth of July Celebrates the 2nd Amendment

Happy Fourth of July!
When Americans declared freedom.
When a country dedicated itself to liberty.
We are unique,
and it shows in our martial arts.

The weapon of choice,
back in 1776 was the Brown Bess.
Brown Bess was a long, heavy
smooth bore musket.
It could fire one big ball,
or a bunch of smaller balls,
which made it into a sort of shotgun.

The name ‘Brown Bess’ was probably derived from the German

“brawn buss” or “braun buss”
meaning “strong gun” or “brown gun”

A dictionary of vulgar terms explained Brown Bess thusly,

“Brown Bess: A soldier’s firelock.
To hug Brown Bess;
to carry a fire-lock, or serve as a private soldier.”

Some say the term was originated by Rudyard Kipling…

In the days of lace-ruffles, perukes, and brocade
Brown Bess was a partner whom none could despise –
An out-spoken, flinty-lipped, brazen-faced jade,
With a habit of looking men straight in the eyes –
At Blenheim and Ramillies, fops would confess
They were pierced to the heart by the charms of Brown Bess.
— Rudyard Kipling, “Brown Bess,” 1911

At any rate,
Americans were required to own and keep a Brown Bess.
Can one image?
Americans being forced to have weapons?
The shame of it!

Accuracy for the Brown Bess was about 100 yards,
and then it was time for bayonet work.

Another weapon,
used by snipers,
was the Pennsylvania rifle.
This was a grooved barrel rifle
with accuracy up to 300 yards.

So the sniper had to steady a ten pound barrel
that extended 48 inches,
take a quick shot at a charging soldier,
and then,
should he miss,
use a little cold steel.
I’m not sure if the Pennsylvania Rifle had a bayonet,
but no self respecting infantryman
would go to war without a cutter.

Let’s talk about bayonets.
They were triangular.
They weren’t designed to cut,
but to tear and rupture.

So,
here is the scenario the founders of this country had to face.

A long line of British soldiers.
British soldiers that had mastered the art
of holding their position
and rapid firing in rows,
so that the colonists were decimated.

The rows would be marched to within 100 yards
and hell’s afire.

Behind the rows of colonists
the snipers used the Pennsylvania Rifle
to pick off British officers,
and thus create confusion in the ranks.

The colonists lined up and died,
and those that were left,
if they hadn’t run
(and they often did),
faced a manic charge of cold steel.

And,
make no mistake about it,
the British soldier of the time
was the absolute best soldier in the world.

He could shoot accurately and en masse.
He stood his ground.
He charged with fire in his eyes.

Interestingly,
until the Americans learned such discipline,
they relied heavily on guerrilla warfare.

They were like apaches.
They were like VC.
They were like ninja,
stealing in,
opening fire,
and running.
They hid behind trees and did their damndest.
Interesting times.

And,
here is the pipper.
The Revolutionary war was NOT popular.
Many people didn’t want to fight the British.
They were loyal to Britain,
and they worked against those fool colonists
who spouted this ‘liberty’ nonsense.

But we made it.
We managed to outlast
the best military in the world,
and then go on to create our own best military.
For over 200 years we have strived,
have risen,
have introduced the concept of liberty
to the rest of the world.

So happy Fourth of July.
It is a holiday that should be celebrated not just here,
but around the world.

And remember,
your ability to know and use violence,
whether it be in the forms of weapons,
or the choice of martial arts,
that is what protects you
and keeps you safe.

And for those of you who disagree,
check out

http://monstermartialarts.com/martial-arts/3a-blinding-steel-matrixing-weapons/

It’s all about the fastest and most efficient way
to learn and use weapons
in the history of the world.

A Happy Fourth of July work out to you.

Al

http://monstermartialarts.com/martial-arts/3a-blinding-steel-matrixing-weapons/

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