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To: robertpaulsen
Speech is guaranteed, correct? Are you saying that speech cannot be regulated?

Only when it damages, or bears the immediate possibility of damaging another individual. Thus libel, defamation, perjury, fraudulent statements and the infamous false cry of "fire" meet that test.

How does carrying or owning an "assault weapon" or "Saturday night special" meet this test? How are they not all protected from regulation by prior restraint?

230 posted on 03/21/2007 11:15:01 AM PDT by LexBaird (98% satisfaction guaranteed. There's just no pleasing some people.)
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To: LexBaird
How are they not all protected from regulation by prior restraint?

Because the restrictions on speech are not prior restraint - they are pre-declared consequences to the outcome of the speech. Libel, defemation, perjury, fraudulent statements, etc. are what they are only because they harm, or threaten to harm, someone. Lie harmfully about someone, suffer the consequences. Lie about Bill The Cat, and nobody will care.

Mere carry of certain arms does not harm anyone. Pointing them at someone, however, is certainly cause for retribution.

236 posted on 03/21/2007 11:36:32 AM PDT by ctdonath2 (The color blue tastes like the square root of 0?)
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To: LexBaird
"Only when it damages, or bears the immediate possibility of damaging another individual"

Swearing in public? Speech over the airwaves? Fighting words?

Oh, and since when are our laws limited to regulating behavior that harms others? Is this some new, made-up standard of yours that we're supposed to comply with? Where did you get this standard and why are you using it?

"How does carrying or owning an "assault weapon" or "Saturday night special" meet this test?"

Test? It's considered a reasonable regulation.

"How are they not all protected from regulation by prior restraint?"

Because the legal concept of "prior restraint" doesn't apply to guns? Just a guess.

248 posted on 03/21/2007 12:12:05 PM PDT by robertpaulsen
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