(Denver, CO) A statement from Rick Stanley, Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate from Colorado:

“The tragic events of last week underscore an important principle of constitutional law: every American has the right and the duty to preserve, protect, and defend their lives, their families, and their property. Sadly, the corrupt officials now occupying positions of authority have betrayed us, and are denying our inalienable rights.

"As Governor of Colorado, Bill Owens has been responsible for disarming law-abiding citizens, making all Coloradans vulnerable to terrorist attacks. I call on Bill Owens to fulfill the duties of his high office by rising to meet the challenge of the present national emergency.

"Mr. Owens, it is your duty to convene a special session of the Colorado Legislature and to name a single item for their consideration.

"I am demanding the immediate repeal of all Colorado statutes that inhibit the free exercise of the people's Second Amendment Right to keep and bear arms. All laws – not some of them, but all of them – which prevent law-abiding citizens from freely defending their property, and their communities, must be repealed. Now!

"I further call upon all the United States Senators and Representatives. You must repeal all federal laws which interfere with and violate the people's Second Amendment Right to keep and bear arms. A well-armed citizenry was insisted upon by our forefathers and by the authors of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and The Bill of Rights. Today we need it more than ever."

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"Americans have the right and advantage of being armed -- unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms."
– James Madison

"The Constitution shall never be construed... to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."
– Samuel Adams

"The strongest reason for the right for the people to bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."
– Thomas Jefferson (1801)

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Rick Stanley is the Libertarian Party's candidate for U.S. Senate (Colorado) in this year's election. More information about Rick's campaign can be found on his web site located at http://www.stanley2002.org. To schedule media interviews please contact Rick at 303.329.0481.

For information about the Libertarian Party of Colorado please visit http://www.lpcolorado.org. For information about the Libertarian Party of America please visit http://www.lp.org