Our Government: Powerless to Outlaw Guns, Able to Outlaw movies

[bluevoter4life]

I came across this article, linked from Buzzflash. It drives home a spectacular point. Where does it end? Why do we feel we can regulate the First Amendment, but the Second Amendment is immune?

http://sexualintelligence.wordpress.com/2008/06/30/our-government-powerless-to-outlaw-guns-able-to-outlaw-movies/

[aspergris]

1. What a false argument

First of all, we "regulate" the first amendment to an extent that we have greater free speech than ANY nation on earth. And I am more than happy to discuss comparative law on that issue here. Suffice it to say - here, hate speech, religiously critical speech etc. that is criminal in many other jurisdictions elsewhere (Canada, France, Uk, etc.) is legal here. Speech is one of the few rights that we TOTALLY trump other countries in. I am especially cognizant of how much freer speech is here vs. canada (since this is a topic I have studied for years). The difference is striking.

I'll totally give props to canada on universal health care, and minimal MJ enforcement, but when it comes to speech - they are WAY WAY WAY more restricted than we are.

The argument that the 2nd amendment is "immune" from regulation is also laughable. Many states make it night impossible to get a permit to carry, require gun registration, and we totally limit possession of firearms to those convicted of a felony, etc.

Iow, the "spectacular point" is hardly driven home, since it's absurd.

[Doctor_J]

4. Yes, we have the right to hate speech

but if you want to protest the Resident you have to go in a cage or other "first amendment zone". David Horowitz and Lynne Cheney run terrorist organizations that have teachers fired for not supporting right-wing dogma. The first amendment has undergone tremendous curtailment over the last 8 years. The 4th, 5th, and 8th amendments have also been under siege. Meanwhile the 2nd amendment, the only one which puts innocent citizens in jeopardy, is enforced.

[aspergris]

5. again, false premise

1) that other amendments don't put people in "jeopardy".



We accept that as a worthwhile tradeoff in order to have liberty. the 4th for instance certainly makes us, to some extent less safe (especially with the exclusionary rule) from criminals, but that's WORTHWHILE TRADEOFF for liberty.

The 1st is also dangerous. But we (unlike any other country) accept the danger because we give the PEOPLE the power to vet ideas, instead of criminalizing them

2) it is also not proven that the 2nd places innocent citizens in jeopardy. imo, it's actually false what you claimed, but it certainly isn't proven as true.

[bluevoter4life]

6. Then why is it we have 7 words you can't say on TV?

In Canada, they can let a few f-bombs slide on the radio and in Europe, they display nudity in public and no one bitches.

When I said "immune", I wasn't saying it for lack of regulation, I was saying it to illustrate the point that the 2nd amendment is largely unregulated because organizations like the NRA throw a shit-fit if the very mention of the word "firearm restriction" slides out of a politicians mouth.

In regards to the First Amendment, if the Constitution says government shall make no law "abridging freedom of speech", then why do we have the FCC, which monitors the content of TV and radio broadcasts? God forbid "shit" is spoken once (especially on programs like 24 and CSI) the networks face a $325,000 fine if uttered just once.

[BB1]

9. And to top it all off,

You forgot your :sarcasm: tag, i suppose?

Freedom of speech in the US, my ass! Freedom to be ignored, more like it. Tell Sibel Edmonds to speak her mind, thén we'll call it free speech.

[exothermic]

2. The government should outlaw guns. Only employees of the gov't should be allowed to have them!

Ordinary people have no business running around wit firearms!

[blue sky at night]

3. Hey Welcome to DU!

I hope you have Flame Proof Hair...prepare to meet thy doom.

[azul]

7. Sort of like bullet-proof vests and armor, eh?

[Skittles]

8. oh yeah

you're a real liberal! I'm SO convinced. Please.