Defenseless on the Bayou - New Orleans gun confiscation was foolish and illegal.

Reason ^ | December 2005 | Dave Kopel

[neverdem]

This story is the second of six from:

After the Storm
Hurricane Katrina and the failure of public policy.

Jesse Walker, Dave Kopel, Kerry Howley, Ronald Bailey, Jeff A. Taylor, Jacob Sullum

[lowbridge]

the New Orleans Police Department, the National Guard, the Oklahoma National Guard, and the U.S. Marshals Service began breaking into homes at gunpoint, confiscating lawfully owned firearms, and evicting the residents. “No one is allowed to be armed,” said P. Edwin Compass III, the superintendent of police. “We’re going to take all the guns.”

Tell me again how these guys will refuse to obey illegal and unconstitutional orders.

[neodad]

Wait until a real terrorist strike or natural catastrophe happens. Then we'll see real violation of rights.

[Bubba]

from my cold dead fingers. New Orleans?? Should plow five furrows around the bloody place... burn it to the ground and plant it in late rice.

[NaughtiusMaximus]

My cold dead fingers etc.

[andyk]

The parishes and the plaintiffs signed a consent decree in which the parishes asserted (implausibly) that there was never an official government policy of confiscating guns

Linguini-spined jerks couldn't even be man enough to admit what they had done.

[basil]

This is so horrendous as to be almost unbelievable.

How much longer are we going to take stuff like this? Please review ALL of the reasons that the Second Amendment was written. Let's don't forget that part about an over-reaching government!

[LucyT]

On the orders of New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, the New Orleans Police Department, the National Guard, the Oklahoma National Guard, and the U.S. Marshals Service began breaking into homes at gunpoint, confiscating lawfully owned firearms, and evicting the residents. “No one is allowed to be armed,” said P. Edwin Compass III, the superintendent of police. “We’re going to take all the guns.”

How could this have happened? None of those agencies had the courage to tell hizzhonor his orders were illegal, then refuse to carry them out?

[Modok]

Where is the rest of the story. What would we think if this had been done 10 years ago? I want to see the names of those in the federal government and national guard who were in on this gun confiscation.

[Czar]

"I want to see the names of those in the federal government and national guard who were in on this gun confiscation."

So do I. Names and specific agencies/organizations.

[Burf]

Where has the Attorney General of the US been on this? I haven't heard his take on the suspension of rights. Nor his bosses take on it either. I must have missed those speeches or press conferences. Is Superintendent Compass III still on the job with pay? Naw, can't be, must be in pretrial or out on bond waiting for his day in court.
The amazing thing is to still hear the claims of those here on this site and elsewhere who are willing to give up personal liberties for perceived safety. Like the politicians are gonna stop when they get one of their freedoms. It will be the same as the appeasement of Hitler by those who gave territory for peace Once Big Brother is fed, he will demand more, by force if necessary. This story only serves as proof.

[festus]

How could this have happened? None of those agencies had the courage to tell hizzhonor his orders were illegal, then refuse to carry them out?

Furthermore not one of the citizens was willing to make a stand either apparently.

I support our men in uniform, cops, guard, or regular army right up and until they begin such activities. At that point "just followin orders" doesn't cut it.

[An Old Man]

"Tell me again how these guys will refuse to obey illegal and unconstitutional orders."

Sad isn't it. On one hand we have those in uniform who swore to uphold the law of the land. At the same time their leaders display less comprehension of the law than your average public high school graduate.

Both you and I know what is going to happen if something like a hurricane should occur on a national scale. Half the people who post on FreeRepublic do not have the knowledge necessary to defend their own home, let alone a country.

Semper Fi

[Burf]

"Wait until a real terrorist strike or natural catastrophe happens. Then we'll see real violation of rights."
I believe you are correct. Maybe this was just a "dry run" to see how it would play out with the citizenry and the press. If Fox News hadn't caught the incident with the woman being roughed up me thinks not much would have come from this.
About your tagline: Rule 2 thru 5 is practice, practice, practice. Correct?

[Burf]

Those doing the confiscating were no dummies. In the rich areas that were protected by private security, they left them alone. The cops and guard chose their opponents carefully. Don't mess with them folks from Blackwater Security.

[Grut]

Where has the Attorney General of the US been on this? I haven't heard his take on the suspension of rights. Nor his bosses take on it either.

Sure you have. It's in the silence.

[10mm]

No one is allowed to be armed,” said P. Edwin Compass III, the superintendent of police. “We’re going to take all the guns.”

Hang him with a sign around his neck.

"Sic semper tyrannus."

[neodad]

About your tagline: Rule 2 thru 5 is practice, practice, practice. Correct?

Somewhere in there is don't aim at anything you don't want to hit.

[No Surrender No Retreat]

Hey NM,
What could we expect from New Orleans finest. The commie get caught without his finest and resolved to withdraw his analytist.

What more cou we expect from the commies and leave out the dramies.

We Dare Defend Our Rights.

NSNR-FTATDF&S

[Simo Hayha]

Furthermore not one of the citizens was willing to make a stand either apparently.

Actually, one elderly woman holding an antique pistol did make a stand. The police on the scene body slammed her and took her pistol.