Posted on 05/27/2012 1:11:49 PM PDT by ColdOne
The now-70-year-old Cunningham wrote that he plans to live with his brother and mother in rural Arkansas after his prison release. He said he wants to restore his gun rights so he can hunt and compete in sport shooting contests.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
“Cunningham pleaded guilty in 2005 to taking $2.4 million in bribes from defense contractors in exchange for using his House appropriations position to steer government contracts to them.”
Cunningham steals 2.4 million dollars from the American tax payer and only serves seven years in prison?
Wow, that’s $342,857.00 per year!
Not too shabby for sitting is a posh federal prison for a few years.
I agree. All people who aren’t in prison should have their rights restored.
Otherwise it's a continuation of the punishment, which is not proper. If we think the punishment should continue, then make it part of the sentence.
I think the Founders would be quite clear on this. The Second Amendment is unequivocal, and in the absence of a continuing legal sentence, a citizen who as done their time should be restored to full rights of citizenship.
The judge is either a liar or ignorant.
Neither makes him look good.
This guy was not a violent felon, he’s a paper abusing felon, similar to the guy who writes bad cheques.
No rational reason beyond vindictive spite to not allow him arms in his old age.
He’s supposed to have “paid his debt” and be “rehabilitated” now.
I suppose that once EVERYONE has been found guilty of some felony the second amendment will be moot, once playground antics are felonies no one will escape losing their rights.
No more voting either, Komrad!
I hope Cunningham rots, but I wonder if convicted felons can legally bow hunt?
In general I agree.
There may be reasonable exceptions, for example if a particular right (e.g. gun use) was central to the committed crime, I can imagine an argument for saying, "You grossly abused your gun rights in the commission of your felony, so we're not giving you that right back. But all your other rights return to you."
This Congresscritter didn't use a gun as part of taking bribes (as far as I can tell) so his gun rights should be restored.
We might consider prohibiting him from taking any job with responsibility for the public money, though. :)
They use the dangle of taking away gun/voting/driving rights as a threat to keep the little people in line. And after tim eis served, why must your rights still be suspended?
Whats more, its suprising how many things are felonies. Something really minor could land in deep trouble for the rest of your life.
I personally don’t see the point of sending people convicted of financial crimes to prison anyway. I’d rather put them on a very short leash and make them repay what they took.
After all, putting them in prison just ends up costing the taxpayers.
“This guy was not a violent felon, he’s a paper abusing felon, similar to the guy who writes bad cheques.”
This guy stole 2.4 million dollars and is an American Tax Payer Abusing Felon and the money he stole belonged to us.
Not at all like writing bad checks.
I’m just kinda curious, where exactly did this rule on denial of gun rights come from, and how does it avoid conflicting with the Constitution?
The way this usually works is that at some point before the full sentence is served, a felon is offered a parole deal which includes limits to his rights. Voting rights and second amendment rights are typically bargained away for early release. I have no idea why they pick on these rights but the deal is usually taken.
It’s so sad to see how far Duke Cunningham fell. He was once a person to look up to...I guess you just never know!!
“This guy stole 2.4 million dollars and is an American Tax Payer Abusing Felon and the money he stole belonged to us”
This is chump change compared to what Obama is funneling to his friends. We are talking billions through so-called green energy firms and other assorted schemes.
That is EXACTLY the danger!
He got caught unlike the rest of the crooks in congress.
Very good point about financial criminals.
“This is chump change compared to what Obama is funneling to his friends. We are talking billions through so-called green energy firms and other assorted schemes.”
Yes, but that does not chance the fact that Cunningham is a political thug that ripped off the American tax payer for 2.4 million and should rot in prison.
What do you think would happen to you if you were caught embezzling 2.4 million from your employer?
Does he still have the money, or did the Fed. take it as I expect?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.