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Originally Posted by RonPaulSupporter  I wish that were as simple as that, but unfortunately if people decided to live legally after getting out of jail we'd never have repeat offenders. I understand your point about rights and how you shouldn't lose them, but I don't think it's extreme to say maybe a violent felon should have to wait a year after release from prison to purchase any kind of firearm. Also one statement I have to disagree with, "we never lose our rights". I think in some cases you can. For example, what about capital punishment? If someone commits murder do you not think they deserve to lose their own right to life because they committed such a crime? A lot of people do support capital punishment and yet the founders called the right to life "inalienable". I just don't believe in the whole notion of immediately allowing a felon to buy a firearm on the day of their release. |
Perhaps my view is idealistic. We don't lose our right to life by committing heinous crimes, but our government and for that matter, many of our people agree that that is the appropriate response to some crimes; ditto the loss of liberty for other crimes, but in both cases, that is after due process of law, in theory. My point is that, as in the Hayes case, to be heard next Supreme Court term, once a person has paid the penalty for his crimes and has then returned to society, how can we say they've "paid their debt to society" but still justify sending them bills?
The Court will likely find that this action is lawful, with which I do not agree. Perhaps if the convict serves his prison term and then has a "probation" term following, that would satisfy your suggestion, but there is no reason why they or anyone should be prohibited from lawful behavior with firearms. It's not like the laws prevent them from committing unlawful acts with firearms, they just provide a way that that group can be further punished if they are caught. Even if the law did prevent any crimes, they're not prohibited from having weapons, just firearms. No one commits a crime with a knife? A candlestick? A lead pipe? (Miss Scarlett to the Conservatory, please.
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I think our biggest problem as a society is that we have too many laws because we have too much government. Dr. Paul would have promoted reductions of both, I think, and I'd love to have seen him in office, but that fact is precisely why he'll never be President. He makes too much sense to be allowed to have that much power and challenge the Washington elite's grip on our society.
That's my
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Blessings,
B