CmdrFenix.org

When I first obtained my CCW permit, I made it a point to research all aspects of firearms laws that I could find. First, I was stunned with how many there were and second I was stunned by how many people had been jailed or arrested for making a simple mistakes. I came across this article yesterday, and thought it struck several cords that I wanted to bring up. We all have seen crimes such as this in the news and every time we shake our head, and usually do nothing.

In the 21st century American legal system, things are no longer so clear. Consider Lindsay Brown, a high-school senior jailed for having a butter knife in her car.

Or Cortez Curtis, a 13-year-old arrested for bringing a calculator that contained tools (including a tiny knife blade) to school. Or 12-year-old Ansche Hedgepeth, handcuffed and detained for eating one French fry on the D.C. subway. Or 61-year-old Kay Leibrand, booked for allowing her hedges to grow too tall.

In some ways, it feels as though our society has forgotten about the spirit of the law. Prisons are overpopulated. The courts are overwhelmed, and even still we have the time to try a high school student for something so silly. I have come across numerous articles about like the story of Lindsay Brown (see above quote) who had no criminal intent on causing anyone harm. There is simply no way to know every law, but there should be some provision for determination of intent. Did that person intent on causing harm, or did they even know it was illegal? That would involved thinking though and it seems that too is something many of our elected officials
(DA’s included) have stopped doing.

“A sound reform strategy will rest on three pillars,” writes legal scholar Brian Walsh. “Restoring traditional criminal law concepts, reinvigorating constitutional rights and reforming Congress.” Each of these steps could be enacted by lawmakers.

Lawmakers reform themselves? I’m sorry, but until we vote them out of office that will NEVER happen. Everybody needs to wake up and STOP re-electing this scum to Washington. You need to research the person you put your vote on, before you go to the polls. Do NOT just do it on a party line vote. Stop falling for speeches that fill you with hope about change. Look at their record. Look at everything they have done. Then decide if you want them representing you.

“The citizens of the U.S. are responsible for the greatest trust ever confided to a political society. We base all our experiments on the capacity of mankind for self-government.” – James Madison