Shōgun Shows Why We Have the Second Amendment

"For some reason, I just can't shake the memory of our first meeting," Blackthorne tells Mariko.

My wife and I are watching Shōgun, the new FX TV show based on the amazing book James Clavell wrote in the 1970s.

Shōgun was one of the first books that truly captivated me. I read it for the first time when I was 13 years old. I couldn’t put it down, and I think it’s one of the books that inspired me to want to become a writer myself some day.

Set in the early 17th century, it tells the story of an English pilot—John Blackthorne— who is stranded in feudal Japan when his ship, the Erasmus, runs aground. The plot follows Blackthorne's experiences in “the Japans” as he becomes embroiled in the political intrigue and power struggles of rival warlords fighting for dominance over the kingdom of Japan following the death of the Taikō. (The Taiko is based on Toyotomi Hideyoshi, “the Great Unifier of Japan.”)

One of my favorite scenes from the new Shōgun comes is Episode 4, when Omi, a samurai who rules the local fishing village, attempts to take away Blackthorne’s pistols, which were returned to him after Lord Toranaga makes him hatamoto.

The previous time Omi and Blackthorne met, Omi urinated on Blackthorne to demonstrate he had no power in Japan. Now armed for the first time, Blackthorne has no intention of giving away his pistols and power.

MARIKO: "Omi-Sama says insists it is forbidden to bring your weapons today."

BLACKTHORNE: "Nonsense, your people bring swords wherever they go."

MARIKO: "He says guns are different. You must turn them over."

Omi tries to simply take the guns. Blackthorne cocks them and points them right at Omi's head.

"For some reason, I just can't shake the memory of our first meeting," he tells Mariko.

If you want to understand why we have a Second Amendment, watch the clip below.

Our natural and constitutionally-protected right to bear arms has nothing to do with hunting.

Firearms empower individuals. They offer protection against the tyrants (big and small) who would rule them—and piss on them, just like Omi did to Blackthorne.

Now armed again with his pistols, and bestowed with Samurai standing, Blackthorne has no intention of being powerless ever again.