Gorsuch’s opinion would, if accepted by the full court, put an end to allowing bureaucrats from interpreting vague provisions of laws to fine and imprison people for doing stuff like draining puddles in their back yards. If his opinion became the majority, then the EPA and other stupid agencies would be prohibited from turning vague provisions into hammers to pound ordinary citizens.
You have to read between the lines. In this case Gorsuch found that the wording of the statute regarding what is or is not a “crime of violence” could be interpreted by some bureaucrat as making something like shoplifting into a violent crime, since there is a possibility that a store clerk might fall and injure himself while chasing you through the parking lot.
Likewise a provision that allows standing water anywhere on your property to be considered some kind of watershed would be voided on the same principle.
Gorsuch struck a blow against the deep state with his opinion. Hopefully this kind of reasoning will be applied to all federal statutes.
I agree. They should spell out what is criminal for the purposes of that statute. I think Trump saw that...if I’m interpreting his later tweet correctly.
Likewise, some stores don’t want to sell guns to those under 21 because of their beliefs....bad.
Baker doesn’t want to sell gay cakes because of his beliefs...good.
We either want businesses to be allowed to follow their beliefs or we don’t.
And I have many guns, and I don’t want the Christian forced to violate his beliefs.