publius
Member
Discussions about the individual laws are off the topic of this thread, IMHO.
OK, let's discuss the origins of the ATF. Do it without reference to the NFA, though, since that would be off topic.
Discussions about the individual laws are off the topic of this thread, IMHO.
What is your point about ATF? The laws were passed properly in accordance with the Constitution, and have been challenged in the Courts, also in accordance with the Constitution. Therefore the government can enforce those portions of the statutes that have been passed, and withstood the scrutiny of the courts. So you may not like ATF, but the have been specific statutory authority to enforce certain federal laws.Originally posted by publius:
Originally posted by publius:
Obviously, they have the power to enforce any law they have the power to pass.
The laws were passed properly in accordance with the Constitution
If the power to regulate always implied the power to prohibit, why go out of his way to mention that it includes one such power? Just being wordy?THE SECOND class of powers, lodged in the general government, consists of those which regulate the intercourse with foreign nations, to wit: to make treaties; to send and receive ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls; to define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against the law of nations; to regulate foreign commerce, including a power to prohibit, after the year 1808, the importation of slaves, and to lay an intermediate duty of ten dollars per head, as a discouragement to such importations.
The Federalist papers help to understand what SOME, not all, of the framers thought. They are not the Constitution itself, but rather one side of the debate. Lots of things that were discussed in the Federalist Papers, the Anti-Federalist Papers, etc. never made it into the Constitution.
The Commerce Clause is very powerful -- it has to be. An "activist" Congress will indeed try to use it to regulate just about anything.
Again, the Federalist Papers, and the Anti-Federalist Papers were just part of the debate over the Constitution, they are NOT part of the Constitution.