bill of rights

Police arrest woman after request to see warrant

"Slaton police came to this woman's house, who wishes to remain anonymous, to arrest her son. But by asking one simple question, she found herself behind bars instead. The complainant said she was aware police would be coming to apprehend her 11-year-old son based on a criminal complaint, and that she just wanted to see the warrant. As it turns out, that warrant didn't exist. She spent the night in jail while her son was left at home." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPolice arrest woman after request to see warrant

Eyewitnesses describe the terror of DWI checkpoint shooting

"Jarred and Rose Cleerdin found themselves right in the middle of a shootout at what should have been a routine DWI checkpoint. Days after the dramatic shootout in Brunswick County, they are still shaken by what they saw. 'Every cop turned around and started unloading like super trigger happy as if their training was coming into full effect and they were being able to utilize it,' said Cleerdin. 'Everybody was just blasting this car to pieces. It was absolutely terrifying.' They were stunned with what was happening, as officers reportedly shot dozens of rounds - in the direction on-coming traffic." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEyewitnesses describe the terror of DWI checkpoint shooting

Alabama Gov. orders investigation after DNA, blood samples collected at roadblocks

"Alabama Governor Robert Bentley's office reacted Tuesday to news that roadblocks were setup in two counties at which point commuters were offered compensation for saliva and blood samples. Drivers in St. Clair and Bibb counties were stopped at roadblocks in the area and were asked to give DNA and blood samples as part of a study. Officials say giving samples was voluntary and participants were paid $10 for mouth swabs and $50 for blood samples. Governor Robert Bentley is ordering an investigation in to the roadblocks." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAlabama Gov. orders investigation after DNA, blood samples collected at roadblocks

FBI admits to flying drones over US without warrants

"The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says it has used drones for domestic surveillance purposes in the United States at least ten times without obtaining warrants. In three additional cases, drones were authorized but 'not actually used.' The bureau said that it would only be required to obtain a warrant to use a drone in cases for which a person 'would have a reasonable expectation of privacy.' The FBI stated that it has not yet needed to ask for a warrant, but that all requests for drone use must be reviewed by an agency lawyer and approved by a senior management official." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFBI admits to flying drones over US without warrants

There was a time when kids were taught to respect firearms, not fear them

"Kids today are reprimanded for carving out a gun-shaped pastry or wearing a tee-shirt from the National Rifle Association. But America hasn’t always been so gun-phobic. Check out these pictures of firearm safety, taught in Indiana schools in 1956. By banning gun-shaped Pop-Tarts, are we teaching children to respect a gun’s power or are we only feeding their natural curiosity — curiosity that, without proper education, could be deadly?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThere was a time when kids were taught to respect firearms, not fear them

In Utah, it’s your marijuana prescription or your concealed gun

"Utah, complying with the federal Gun Control Act, denies or revokes concealed-carry firearms permits for anyone with a prescription for marijuana. While Utah doesn’t allow marijuana to treat ailments, eight of the 31 states that recognize Utah’s concealed firearms permit do. BCI does not keep records of how many applicants or holders are denied for medical marijuana. BCI, in its regular report on concealed-carry permit violations, lumps those cases into a category labeled 'controlled substance.' Utahns with a prescription for opiates, such as Oxycodone, are not barred from a concealed firearm permit unless they are suspected of abusing the drugs." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIn Utah, it’s your marijuana prescription or your concealed gun

Senator Wyden Warns Against the Surveillance State

"There are only two limitations to the growth of the surveillance state: practical and economic. From a practical standpoint, just who is going to sort through the nearly immeasurably large amount of data being collected? At present, as smart as computers are, and as sophisticated as the software that drives them is, it ultimately is going to take a human being to find the dangerous needle in thousands of haystacks. The manpower required to do that is incomprehensibly large and infinitely costly. The second limitation is economic: at some point deficits will become so large that funding them through debt will no longer be an option." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSenator Wyden Warns Against the Surveillance State

Civil Liberties and Security in an Age of Terrorism

"Civil Liberties in an Age of Terrorism: A special evening with our 'Challenge of Liberty Summer Seminars' students and featured by C-SPAN's Book TV. Watch this eye-opening, timely discussion on the recent revelations of systematic government spying—including NSA accessing of phone records, USPS photocopying the exterior of all mail, and the dangers posed to liberty and security by these and other such unchecked and unconstitutional powers." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCivil Liberties and Security in an Age of Terrorism

Should We Be Optimistic or Pessimistic about the Future of the Second Amendment?

"It’s difficult to be optimistic when a local government imposes a $1,000 fine on a man who uses an unregistered gun (gasp!) to save a child’s life. On the other hand, I’m somewhat optimistic because gun owners and defenders of the Constitution have done a remarkable job in expanding and extending our Second Amendment rights at the state level. For instance, check out this map of concealed-carry laws in the United States. The first thing to notice is that every single state allows citizens to carry, with the only real difference being whether the law is 'shall issue' or 'may issue.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingShould We Be Optimistic or Pessimistic about the Future of the Second Amendment?

29 arrested for singing anti-Walker lyrics in Wisconsin state capitol

"Dozens of protesters were arrested Thursday night for singing in Wisconsin capitol, in the second round of arrests triggered by a judge’s ruling that all groups over 20 people must obtain a permit before demonstrating. At least 29 people with 'Solidarity Sing-Along' were cuffed and taken away on Thursday night, according to local media. The arrests came a day after police took 24 singers into custody, making good on their oft’ repeated threats to enforce the permit rule. The group has maintained a daily presence in the capitol for over two years, singing well-known songs every afternoon featuring anti-Republican lyrics, according to The Associated Press." Continue reading →

Continue Reading29 arrested for singing anti-Walker lyrics in Wisconsin state capitol