“There are some who've forgotten why we have a military. It's not to promote war; it's to be prepared for peace.”

Sillik, when your suggestion was tried pre-WWII; how did that work out? When many nations prepared themselves for peace by a procedure of negotiations with the socialist Hitler, entailing a coinciding process promoting and promising relinquishment of all dangerous weaponry and a pronouncement of an all pervasive mutual progressive health benefit and interest.

Mr Mike Norwalk, you are very similar to the childish mundane typical character expression I meet daily, but I enjoy the song by the way, of "I made it up as I went along.". Don't need a miracle though, just Socialism is the challenge of social abilities to create.

Sillik, how off topic, shallow and socialistic is your ad hominem? Hmmm, very!, extremely! and exceedingly! come to mind. Your inability to stay on topic in a rational conversation where the only retort is to attack the messenger — how socialist of you ;-) I guess you don't need a miracle when you know socialism is the challenge of social abilities to create death, destruction, chaos, poverty and a painful existence outside the reality of nature's law; AND, that is the high points of your goals.

Fred, you have not answered the question but merely provided another ad hominem fallacious argument.  Every animal must be able to defend itself against predators — those that cannot get eaten.  This simple fact of life must not be ignored.  Evil must always be addressed by Good, else all eventually succumbs to evil.

Thankfully, the truth destroys lies, light dispels darkness, and love triumphs over hate.  And weapons, in all their forms, in the hands of the citizenry, keeps the insatiable leviathan in check.  That is the American republic, may it forever reign.

Mr Archer, the worst enemy of our citizenry is their fellow citizens. Killing is evil. We must have a reference to good. Good respects, nurtures and concerns itself with life. Casting away our weapons demonstrates our good intent and is a place to begin peaceful terms and agreements. Peace begins in the familiar. 

Mr Archer, I've responded to this quote in the only correct capacity it can be addressed.  In the adult capacity. You must demonstrate your capabilities for the elimination of war, and you don't demonstrate your desire for peace building a vast military empire. You demonstrate reasonable alternatives.

The best way to defend yourself is self-awareness and realize your own aggressive impulses. The examined life is valuable life.

I agree with the old hymn "Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me."  Self-awareness of one's own impulses is a start, but even Gandhi acknowledged that we must ever resist and stand up against tyranny.  Knowing your rights is a start, defending them is a responsibility. 

In America, the citizen is guaranteed the right to keep and bear arms in defense of himself and his country, because history has ever shown that a defenseless people will not keep their hard-fought freedom for long otherwise. (See any socialist/communist nation.)  

The tree of liberty must sometimes be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots alike.

One, Mr Archer, does not defend the best interest of their country by killing other folks of other countries. The firearms mentally ill enthusiasts is without a doubt on the offensive in terms of their firearms. The firearms enthusiasts has made cold blooded murder fashionable. They are without exception predators. The self aware release themselves from firearms and seek the alternative. To progress the good must educate the violent.