Insurrectionist Theory

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Insurrectionist Theory is a political philosophy from the United States that holds that "possession of firearms by individuals serves as the ultimate check on the power of the government".^[1][2] Proponents assert a right of revolution, which entails armed revolt premised on resistance against a perceived tyrannical government. The theory holds that individuals should bears arms as a "check" on the power of the government, invoking the constitutional concept of "consent of the governed". This theory is not accepted in American jurisprudence or case law, but relates to many popularly-held American values about sovereignty and has roots in the anti-monarchical character of the founding of the United States. This theory is often associated with the American militia movement and other anti-governmental groups.

Terminology[]

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Followers of this political philosophy believe civilians should have almost unlimited access to weapons and keep private arms as a check against government power. Insurrectionist theory does not apply all gun owners, but rather for gun owners who arm this themselves against perceived government tyranny, and resist or overthrow them with those arms.^[3]

Insurrectionist Theory can be broken into two components

1. Individuals should keep arms and armor as a check against government tyranny^[1][2][3]
2. Individuals have a duty to right of revolution against alleged tyranny, with said arms.

This theory differs from right of revolution in its belief of individuals should be armed in the absence of a tyrannical government as a check against it and opposition to any government regulation of firearms.

History[]

Philosophical Views on Insurrectionist Theory[]

John Locke[]

Philosopher John Locke in his Two Treatises of Government believed that governments being instituted among men for the protection of Life,Liberty and the protection of property and because of such individuals accept the Social contract. In cases that a government becomes tyrannical Locke believed that the people should revolt to regain those rights.

Locke stating this as

"whenever the Legislators endeavor to take away, and destroy the Property of the People, or to reduce them to Slavery under Arbitrary Power, they put themselves into a state of War with the People, who are thereupon absolved from any farther Obedience, and are left to the common Refuge, which God hath provided for all Men, against Force and Violence. Whensoever therefore the Legislative shall transgress this fundamental Rule of Society; and either by Ambition, Fear, Folly or Corruption, endeavor to grasp themselves, or put into the hands of any other an Absolute Power over the Lives, Liberties, and Estates of the People; By this breach of Trust they forfeit the Power, the People had put into their hands, for quite contrary ends, and it devolves to the People, who have a Right to resume their original Liberty."

To further such goals as the fundamental right to life, liberty, and property, Locke supported the individual right to gun ownership for personal defense and against the government tyranny.^[4] He did however did not think this right was unlimited, believing that a government's right is to do acts and laws for the common good.^[5]

Thomas Jefferson[]

Jefferson is often cited as a fervent supporter of not only right of revolution but the prior arming competent and checks to "government tyranny" in support of the bearing of arms Jefferson belief is that the "people" should retain arms to protect themselves against government tyranny.

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."^[6]

He was often supportive of rebellion to prevent tyranny in his writings in letters to friends saying.

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."^[7] "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical"^[8]

Jefferson's beliefs were in line with his and other Anti-Federalist fears of his era. They opposed Federalist Party ideals which sought to increase the power of the federal government, which may lead to greater regulation of firearms, and the building up of a large national military to oppress the people.^[9]

In modern American right-wing politics[]

Insurrectionist theory has regained some popularity in recent years with the rise of the American militia movement, a variety of groups which may^[a] oppose the Federal government, or sometimes even state governments. While such groups sometimes align with one another, they are largely independent, and of a non-national character. Despite this, these right-wing or groups are assessed collectively by many national security theorists. These groups assert that they are carrying on the tradition of the American founding fathers, often claiming to organize for the purpose of "checking" or "resisting" a tyrannical government. The Boogaloo movement in particular is often more aggressive in this stance often advocating for a second civil war, or an armed revolution.^[10][11]

Extremist groups[]

Adherents often are associated with anti-governmental extremist organizations, some with far-right standings, such as the III%ers, Boogaloo Movement, Oath Keepers, and Light foot militias, often under the umbrella of the American militia movement. Since the Trump era, some- predominantly the III%ers and Boogaloo movement- are associated with domestic terrorism incidents such as Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot,and 2021 storming of the United States Capitol and anti-government standoffs such as the Bundy standoff,and Occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Notes[]

References[]