bill of rights

California, New York and DC look to ban 3D-printed guns

"A handgun made almost entirely using a consumer-grade 3D printer fired a bullet over the weekend for the first time in the history of the infant technology. If some lawmakers have their way, it will also be the last. Defense Distributed of Texas announced on Sunday that researchers fired a bullet designed for a traditional .380-caliber firearm with a gun built all but exclusively using digital blueprints, some plastic and an $8,000 printer. The only item aside from the bullet not printed out was a single nail that served as the firing pin. As early s Tuesday, though, California State Senator Leland Yee was already looking to pass a bill that would outlaw other 3D weapons." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCalifornia, New York and DC look to ban 3D-printed guns

Obama may back FBI proposal for expansive Internet wiretapping powers

"The United States may soon require Internet companies to build in the capacity to let federal investigators wiretap their users, according to The New York Times. The Obama administration is weighing a proposal that would fine companies that do not comply with wiretap orders. An earlier proposal by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) would have required all companies to build in this capacity from the outset — a costly mandate that critics worried would stifle tech innovation and small businesses. Attorney Albert Gidari Jr., who specializes in representing technology companies, told the Times: 'We’ll look at lot more like China than America after this.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama may back FBI proposal for expansive Internet wiretapping powers

America’s 14 Most Pissed-Off Comments on the TSA’s Airport Body Scanners

"TSA is getting rid of the most controversial scanners by this summer because the company that made them wasn't adequately protecting passenger privacy. The replacement scanners are supposed to offer more privacy by only showing a generic outline of passengers. Since late March, Americans have submitted over 3,000 comments to the TSA about the existing scanners and the planned change. Here are 14 of the most pissed off public comments submitted to TSA…and the one guy who loves them." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAmerica’s 14 Most Pissed-Off Comments on the TSA’s Airport Body Scanners

Texas House approves bundle of radical pro-gun laws

"The bills that passed include a measure letting college students over 21-years-old carry weapons in classrooms. Lawmakers also approved letting schools select employees to carry concealed weapons on campus, and easing the standards for concealed carry permits. The bulk of the bills were targeted at easing restrictions on concealed carry weapons, such as making permit fees cheaper, preventing agencies from asking for detailed information on permit renewals, and restricting fingerprint registries for gun owners. The package of bills also includes a measure that declares all federal gun laws null and void in Texas." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTexas House approves bundle of radical pro-gun laws

3-D-printed gun available for download after firing first shots

"The nonprofit group that created the world’s first 3-D-printed gun on Sunday proved that the weapon could be fired. In a YouTube video published by Defense Distributed, 3-D-printed gun creator Cody Wilson fires a single shot from 'the Liberator,' which features interchangeable barrels to handle different caliber bullets. On the first attempt, the pistol showed no damage after firing a single standard .380 round. A second attempt misfired due to a misalignment. A Computer-aided design (CAD) file that would allow others with 3-D printers to create their own handguns was made available for free on Monday." Continue reading →

Continue Reading3-D-printed gun available for download after firing first shots

NYPD Police Sergeant Calls For Crackdown On Social Media Dissent

"Using a zero tolerance approach to track domestic terrorists online is the only reasonable way to analyze online threats these days, especially after the Boston Marathon bombing and news that the suspects had subsequently planned to target Times Square in Manhattan, Mullins says. The way law enforcement agencies approach online activity that appears sinister is this: 'If you’re not a terrorist, if you’re not a threat, prove it,' he says. 'This is the price you pay to live in free society right now. It’s just the way it is,' Mullins adds. That method can result in arrests of teenagers whose online activity may be more aptly characterized as stupid pranks." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNYPD Police Sergeant Calls For Crackdown On Social Media Dissent

Texas teen points to heavens, gets 4×100 relay squad banned from state championships

"The anchor of that 4x100 squad was junior Derrick Hayes, who ran a particularly blazing split and celebrated the team’s state qualification with a simple finger point to the heavens. The gesture is a common one in sports, but on this occasion, it was deemed to have run afoul of a University Interscholastic League (UIL) regulation barring excessive celebration. Once officials at the Columbus meet determined that Hayes had violated the excessive celebration rules, the entire 4x100-meter squad was disqualified and effectively barred from the state championships." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTexas teen points to heavens, gets 4×100 relay squad banned from state championships

China hits back with report on U.S. human rights record

"China on Sunday retorted the U.S. criticism and distortions of its human rights situation by publishing a report of the U.S. human rights record. The Human Rights Record of the United States in 2012 was released by the Information Office of China's State Council, or the Cabinet, in response to the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012 issued by the U.S. State Department. China in the report argued that there are serious human rights problems in the U.S. which incur extensive criticism in the world, as it has posed as 'the world judge of human rights' again." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChina hits back with report on U.S. human rights record

Ron Paul: Congress Exploits Our Fears to Take Our Liberty

"CISPA represents a troubling form of corporatism, where large companies cede their responsibility to protect their property to the federal government, at the expense of their customers' privacy and liberty. In this respect, CISPA can be thought of as an electronic version of the Transportation Security Administration, which has usurped the authority over airline security from private airlines. However, CISPA will prove to be far more invasive than even the most robust TSA screening. CISPA and the gun control bill are only the most recent examples of politicians manipulating fear to con the people into giving up their liberties." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRon Paul: Congress Exploits Our Fears to Take Our Liberty

U.S. gives big, secret push to Internet surveillance

"Senior Obama administration officials have secretly authorized the interception of communications carried on portions of networks operated by AT&T and other Internet service providers, a practice that might otherwise be illegal under federal wiretapping laws. The secret legal authorization from the Justice Department originally applied to a cybersecurity pilot project in which the military monitored defense contractors' Internet links. Since then, however, the program has been expanded by President Obama to cover all critical infrastructure sectors including energy, healthcare, and finance starting June 12." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. gives big, secret push to Internet surveillance