Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: bvw
Restraints on speech are fundamentally wrong -- excepting only clear, immediate public risk and danger ("Fire" in a crowed theater), and the most grevious, obvious slanders.

But that restraint isn't applied before the fact by gagging people, but rather only after the fact by pressing charges. However, gun prohibitions are before-the-fact suppressions of gun rights, as opposed to, say, laws against armed robbery, which are applied after the fact for criminal gun misuse. Those who would shout Fire! in a crowded theater have the same opportunity to do wrong as those who would hold up liquor stores, but for the gun grabbers this isn't good enough, and additional restrictions on gun owners are always sought.

13 posted on 12/09/2002 7:07:32 AM PST by coloradan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies ]


To: coloradan
Try putting up a anti-homosexuality billboard in New York City! Or running an ad on certain topics in the local newspaper. Now the second is a private-private thing, the first is not -- for the City has taken legal action against some people who did, and the people who own billboards then refuse to allow certain messages for fear of governmental reprisal or direct legal action against them.

Or try getting a conservative speaker at a public university in some places -- prior restraint in all effect!

Registration, licensing? Try making a claim about the medical or psychological benefit of some new device, food, or preparation -- that's speech too. Gee whiz -- the FDA will be all over you -- and not for clear fraud either -- rather both "truth" and the process to find it are *owned* by FDA dicta! Far better the old "Reg PA Dept of Agriculture" -- the FDA is a tyrant and there is no alternative. Guilty until proven innocent.

Still, you have a point, and have shed a light on real differences. The prior restraints on bearing and keeping arms are more rampant.

15 posted on 12/09/2002 7:31:38 AM PST by bvw
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson