Thanks for those links. What we are seeing is a reaction to the increase of lawlessness. Our Republic is founded upon the assumption that the people in it are moral and law abiding. Today, most still are, to some extent. Many are not.
However, the consensus about how we are to conduct ourselves is breaking down, voluntary compliance is decreasing, and disorder is increasing. Our most basic right (to life) is constantly under attack, whence flows all manner of evil.
The net result is ever more force imposed across the board to maintain order and protect the public. Many of us are clamoring for more of that.
I do not see the trend reversing itself any time soon.
“There’s no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren’t enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What’s there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted and you create a nation of law-breakers.”
Quote by: Ayn Rand
(1905-1982) Author
Source: “Atlas Shrugged”, Part II, Chapter 3