Though we tend to forget it, the United States of America was colonised by the English for three hundred years. A combination of the British Army, loyalist militias and Hessian mercenaries ensured the security of the thirteen colonies on the East Coast. Slaves were brought from West Africa and the Caribbean to work on the plantations of cotton, tobacco and tea to be shipped back to Great Britain. It was imperative that the famous five o’clock tea-time be maintained, when the hot beverage was paired with a splash or milk or lemon, and perhaps a scone or two. But during the 1770s, the American colonies would come to revolt against London. The British had refused them access to the Indian lands located west of the Appalachian Mountains, and all the while the Americans saw their taxes increased even as they remained without representation at Westminster. The revolution had begun.
New forces of British troops were sent to America, but all in vain. Shipments of tea were sunk, cotton plantations were burned, and the tobacco fields were plundered by the Revolutionaries with the help of the French Navy. Under the command of George Washington, the patriots of the American army would win their revolution. The Patriots were English subjects who supported independence and insurrection. British loyalists fled American soil. The Treaty of Paris, signed in 1783, saw Great Britain recognise the independence of the United States, bringing the revolutionary war to a close as George Washington became the first ever President of the United States of America.
But how could one protect the people of a territory so vast and sprawling, so much of which remained unexplored, from all those global powers? How would American citizens defend themselves from governmental tyranny? The list of people who carried weapons on American soil prior to the revolution was a long one. They included loyalist militias, Hessian mercenaries, the French navy, the standing continental army, and the regular forces and militias in each state. On 15 December 1791, the second Amendment to the Constitution was ratified by the founders of the United States: “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.”
This afternoon, the sheriff of Colorado, FBI Special Agent for Albuquerque and Robert Fulton, sheriff of Rio Blanco County, had gathered at a secret location to see the new weapon developed by the government for the protection of all its citizens. It would go on sale in the coming months.
“This little pup? Strange looking thing,” remarked the Colorado sheriff.
“It’s going to be big. Latest technology. It’s an automatic weapon that can fire eight bullets a second,” answered the FBI special agent.
“My boys are going to be very happy with their new toys,” added sheriff of Rio Blanco. “It’s tradition.”
“Only American tradition I’m aware of is Thanksgiving!”
“It’s in our Constitution,” replied the Colorado sheriff. This gun will be a godsend to our farmers; to all our citizens, really,” beamed the FBI agent.
Alan Alfredo Geday
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