The writings of the Founding Fathers of this nation leave the reader with no doubt as to what they meant by the Second Amendment:   "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."

Within the last half century, the original intent of the Second Amendment the founders set forth seems to have been lost as more and more firearm laws were passed.  The federal government greatly expanded its influence into this area of freedom overstepping the boundaries set by the Constitution.

Recently, several states began a pushback against federal regulation of the right to keep and bear arms.  The Firearms Freedom Act was first passed in Montana and declares that any firearms made and retained in-state is beyond the authority of Congress.

I mentioned the legislation in a letter to Representative James Comer.  Mr. Comer informed me that there were actually two bills in the Kentucky legislature on this issue.  "My constituents believe passionately in the Second Amendment, and I have always been a vocal and hard fighting member of the General Assembly to see that our gun owner rights are protected," Comer said.

According to the website a total of five states now have enacted this law with many more considering similar legislation.  In Kentucky, HB 87 specifically states that "firearms, firearm accessories and ammunition that are made in Kentucky, marked ... in Kentucky, and used in Kentucky... are exempt from federal law"

I believe this legislation to be a positive step in retaining freedom.  It is important to remember that the founders wanted to leave the power with the people.This was to ensure that the people would be able to remain free and never again fall under the control of a government of tyrants.

The primary purpose of the federal government was to regulate interstate commerce (trade between the states).  However, the fed has dramatically expanded its power beyond what the Founding Fathers intended.

When any government begins to believe there is no limit to its power, freedom is the most threatened.  It is during these times that the people should stand up for their liberties before they are lost.  If the federal government could abolish the right to keep and bear arms, who is to say they couldn't eliminate freedom of speech or religion.

State legislatures standing and taking action such as this is one way to remind the federal government that there are limits to its power.  However, my fear is that, while the legislation may pass, will it be enforced?

Will any of the states who have enacted or are planning to enact the Firearms Freedom Act actually have the courage to stand up to the fed if they refuse to comply?  And that is where the true test of freedom will begin and where true statesmen and defenders of freedom will truly shine.