Why Are People So Incredibly Stupid? ~
President Trump’s statement. “take the guns first, due process later” has gone nuclear on both sides of the aisle, but what he said, in context, is absolutely correct and already established in existing law. He was referring explicitly to the case of Nikolas Cruz, and the slew of reported evidence that was compiled long before he embarked on his killing spree.
In Texas, and I presume in all other states, “Peace Officers” are authorized by law to place into emergency involuntary (psychiatric) detention any person whose mental status they reasonably believe poses a threat to themselves or others. This is often referred to as a “psych hold” and it’s imposed for the purpose of obtaining a professional psychiatric evaluation.
Moreover, Peace Officers are also authorized to confiscate and impound anything in connection with the case, which might remain a threat or cause further harm to others if left unattended or in the possession of others who aren’t familiar with such dangers. This includes such things as firearms, meth lab chemicals, bomb-making materials, dangerous animals, etc, which are to remain in custody until a final, post-adjudication determination on their disposition is ordered.
Persons placed in emergency involuntary detention are to be evaluated by psychiatric professionals and remain in custody until due process has occurred, which could include the issuance of mental warrants and proceedings for involuntary committal, extensions of involuntary detention and protective custody hearings.
In short, everything President Trump said was exactly correct because such actions are already provided for by law. However, it was reflexively pounced upon by both sides to conjure up images of SWAT teams kicking in front doors in the middle of the night and seizing privately-owned firearms for no reason whatsoever. And, too many stupid Americans gulped down this fabricated hysteria -— hook, line and sinker.
Guess he should have worded it better if that is, in fact, what he meant.
None of us shot up a school or anything else, and I don’t particularly like being implicated, especially when those who had the authority to do something did nothing and aren’t being held accountable at all.
Don’t blame us when you touch the 3rd rail and get shocked.
Indeed!
One might think that arguing FOR a distinction without difference ( that being we should not worry about following due process when due process wasn’t followed) would be self-evidently foolish.
Luckily, we have sagacious voices such as yours to keep us on the straight and narrow. /s
Thank you for your post. :)
“....in context....”
Oh non no no. We can’t have Trumps statements considered within the overall discussion. We need to simply focus on the portion that leads to a false impression.
Same thing happened in the immigration round table. Tucker fell for it both times.