Much as I despise these thugs, I think that this would set a dangerous precedent.
So can they speak the word gun? Is that a crime too?
I hate gang bangers as much as the next guy but surely there are limits to government power (abuse)
Does this rise to the level of yelling “fire” in a theatre?
I actually hate gangsta rap. I think it is morally corrosive, and I would keep it off of any venue I controlled, and would keep it away from any degree of public support (e.g. publicly subsidized radio or platforms or schools) either direct or indirect. BUT...
Speech is still speech. It needs Constitutional protection particularly if it does not enjoy the support of the Opinionistas. Unless he were conspiring to facilitate crime, he is free to say what he pleases.
Eric Holder, on the other hand...
It says “No Safety” and a picture of a partly disassembled revolver — is that a threat, or is that a complaint? Conventional 2nd amendment advocacy groups could use similar themes, though they would not touch rap with a ten foot pole. Because it is susceptible of multiple interpretations, as long as he isn’t separately pressing a particular interpretation, then we can’t meet the legal standard of guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
I agree. But look at the idiotic suspensions of kids in school for eating out a pastry to the shape of a gun, etc. They have been conditioning people to think it’s OK to punish people for a picture of a gun. A picture of a gun; what’s wrong with people?