Local man Richard Ducey, age 36, is a great American citizen. He votes, abides by the law, and even recycles when it’s convenient. Ducey believes in the United States Constitution wholeheartedly and will go to great lengths to protect the fundamental rights outlined in its pages. Some say, however, that Richard Ducey is taking the Constitution’s words too literally, or even out of context.

“It says right here that I have a right to bear arms,” Ducey said pointing at the second amendment of the Bill of Rights. “On that there second ah-men-dant.”

Richard Ducey is insisting on getting an operation to replace his arms with the two front limbs of a grizzly bear that inhabited the northwestern region of Montana. He was strangely specific about that detail.

Ducey has taken it upon himself to seek counsel from a surgeon at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and has found that the operation can be done, but only at quite a high price.

“Well, it will cost thousands and thousands of dollars. And he has to kill and amputate the two front arms from the bear and keep them on ice long enough for the procedure to take place. Then, he’ll have to face the unbearable pain of amputation himself,” Dr. John Billings, M.D., said of his interaction with Ducey. “He’ll also probably bleed to death. Actually, I’m almost certain that he will bleed to death.”

Ducey is staying optimistic; not even the threat of death gave him “paws.” He says he has enough money to cover the surgery, thanks to a hefty inheritance from his grandfather, and he has faith in the surgeons to successfully complete the procedure.

He will be heading to Montana at the end of the month to pick out his arms, and the procedure is slated for February 17. He’ll be able to take a normal trip to the “maul” in no time.