Comment on the concept of LEA's and the 2A

[cdcmj]

First off, I am currently an EMT/Firefighter going to school for Emergency Medicine (basically a BS in the paramedic discpline of EMS). Ive begun thinking of where I want to go after I graduate and I've tossed around my home state of MD as a possibilty. The entire state primarily relies on MD state trooper's to provide air medic support. To become one, you must first be hired as a regular MD trooper and be a trooper in the field for a minimum of 2 years. I've been tossing around the idea of following this tract, but overall I feel like I cannot do the job of LE faithfully based on my views of our government and the intimate relationship that exhists between the two. Which leads to the question..

One of the major pro's I came up with from becoming an LEO was that one would be able to literally ccw, and therefore protect himself and his loved ones, 24/7 and practically everywhere. A "privilege" not affored to anybody else, for the most part. What do you guys think about the fact that the 2a was created to check the power of the government, but the very agency that is supposed to be checked is doing the opposite? (in my opinion illegally) The US gov. has riddled down the role of the citizen to such a high degree that the only citizens that can carry in this capacity are not citizens in the first place. They are sworn agents of the government who are a direct extension of the executive branch.

Sorry for the long post, this idea has just been on my mind and i wanted to vent. Any comments, feelings, etc are what Im looking for.

:banghead: ----how i feel about this situation/current set of affairs in this country

 

[Notch]

2a gives you all the permission you need.

 

[WeThePeople]

You're certainly not alone. During law school I very seriously considered becoming a federal agent. I was very interested in DEA and ICE as they both enforce laws which I vehemently support. I was caught in a bit of the same conflict as you.

However, I met quite a few agents and they were all stand-up guys who I don't think for one minute would go after someone that they thought was likewise a stand-up guy. There are obviously some 'rogue' agents out there who believe otherwise, but I really think that they are the minority.

In the end, I decided not to pursue a career in law enforcement not because of conflicts, but because pretty much my entire family had followed me to Kentucky at that point and leaving them just seemed pretty wrong.

I also think that it is horse manure that citizens cannot carry in the same places as LEOs. Sure, there might be some training involved in carrying on a plane, but for the most part, I don't think that I have yet heard a legitimate reason why I can't carry anywhere I want.

I agree 100% that the only people who can truly exercise their 2a rights are actually agents of the government. They can protect their families at Disney, LA, San Francisco, New York City, etc. but I cannot do the same. I am very happy that they are able to do so and would never argue that they shouldn't be able to do so. But, I should be able to do the same. I mean, the 2a is pretty unambiguous, isn't it? The 2a does reserve rights for citizens, doesn't it?

 

[romma]

2a gives you all the permission you need.

Till you get caught... Try giving the second amendment defense at your trial for carrying somewhere you're not supposed to. Although I do agree with you Notch, I myself would rather not fight that fight at the present time.

 

[cdcmj]

romma i agree. I am talking about the fundamental basis of this rediculousness. That being, LEO's are the only "citizens" that are allowed to fully excercise the 2a. As i said before, they arent even citizens and are just little pawns of the US government to enforce many unconstitutional laws. (my main reason, wethepeople, for not choosing this path). For example and on a quick side note, i find it sickening that my 'employer forces' me to putt handcuffs on a parent in front of their child because they smoked a joint in their living room.

 

[araiford]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the US Constitution and Bill of Rights are effectively dead.

 

[WeThePeople]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the US Constitution and Bill of Rights are effectively dead.

Darn! I thought that we were performing CPR on it!

 

[pharmer]

The problem with real Americans is that we are "stuck" in how it is SUPPOSED to be. Fact is that our government, like ALL others, seeks to control its' people and does that quite effectively through monopoly of force. We are "free" to rant on internet boards and buy guns at gunshows, for now. Don't think for a minute if it was expedient, the .gov wouldn't herd us all onto reservations "for our own good and safety". Or shoot gunowners as a threat to public safety. Read the fine print on your CWP. Somewhere it says "carrying a weapon in public constitutes 'breach of the peace'". Anyone thinking about revolt or somesuch, watch "Futureweapons" or "Weaponology". Some pretty nasty devices that the .gov would smoke "patriots" with in the first minutes. Joe

 

[mbt2001]

The only thing that makes it possible for us to retain those vestiges of freedom that we have today is the shear NUMBER of people supporting it. If that number dwindles from what it is today, look for more regulation.

.gov is on a rampage for power. They are currently consolodating every other possible area. Commuinications, Air waves, transportation, energy production / distribution, water, so on.

 

[RPCVYemen]

Sorry for the long post, this idea has just been on my mind and i wanted to vent. Any comments, feelings, etc are what Im looking for.

My guess is that if you are going to be a trooper, you have to be willing to enforce the laws that are on the books today, and leave your feelings about the constitutionality out of the equation.

Enforcement as a responsibility of the executive branch of government, and determining the constitutionality of a is the responsibility of the judicial branch.

I realize that the separation of powers is a federal notion, and may not apply in all state governments - but it seems to me to be a pretty good idea.

If you want to change laws, it seems to me that you'd be better off in the judical or legislative branches. Go to law school or get elected, or both.

Mike

 

[roscoe]

Frankly, the country NEEDS police who are concerned about the relationship between the people and the government, especially in MD (It's my home state). Become a good cop, reject the militarization of law enforcement, and do the right things every day.