If you were told you were compelled by law

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tuckerdog1

tuckerdog1

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To disclose information about your firearms ( how many, what type, where kept, value, etc ) what would you do?

I ask this because I recently received a "survey" from the cencus bureau. In multiple places ( even on the outside of the envelope it arrived in ), it says I'm required by law to complete & return this "survey". It is full of questions that are none of their business.

When I 1st began looking through this thing, and started to get a feel for for how intrusive it was, I did a quick scan through the pages to see if there was anything about firearms. There was not. But I don't see, judging by the other out of line questions, why such firearms probing might not be included in the nest version of this "survey".

Perhaps guns fall under a "special" catagory they dare not infringe upon:rolleyes:

Tuckerdog1
 
The penalties are civil and not criminal.

The penalty for not responding to census questions is "not to exceed" $100.
If you do not respond, they will send someone in person and the penalty for not answering that person is "not to exceed" $500.

So, at most, if you refuse to answer any census questions it will cost you $600 and will not reflect on your criminal record.

The penalty for providing "false or misleading" answers is "not to exceed" $500, but this would also result in an in-person visit and another $500 fine, so it's less expensive just not to answer.

Assuming that the penalties for noncompliance were similar (i.e. civil and not criminal and of similar monetary amount) I would simply refuse to answer.
 
I would answer honestly... boating accident.

Seriously, though, can someone cite the law which compels us to complete a survey?
 
"Several shotguns and a rifle."
If someone decided to follow up, then "I just bought these from a individual and sold that other one."

Did the survey actually ask about firearms, or is this hypothetical?
 
The penalty for not responding to census questions is "not to exceed" $100.
If you do not respond, they will send someone in person and the penalty for not answering that person is "not to exceed" $500.

So, at most, if you refuse to answer any census questions it will cost you $600 and will not reflect on your criminal record
Click to expand...

Well, looks like my portion of the stimulus package goes back where it came from. Would have preferred to by a new gun.

Did the survey actually ask about firearms, or is this hypothetical?
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Hypothetical. But from the jest of the questions, I was afraid by the time I got all the way through it, there might be firearms questions.

This thing is called "The American Community Survey". Nice Mom & Apple Pie sounding name.

[I too would like to know why we lawfully have to complete a census?/QUOTE]

I'm afraid this is drifting away from firearms. The Constitution calls for a 10 yr census. But it's supposed to be a simple head count to determine representation.
Tuckerdog1
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The fact that my existance will be noted in a census does not bother me, but probing questions about anything and everything - up to how much water is displaced when I go to the toilet - do bother me.
 
Somebody forgot a 0. It's up to a $5000 fine if you refuse or willfully neglect to compete the the questionaire according to the website.

Comply Comrade! The central government compels you.

The American Community Survey is conducted under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Sections 141 and 193, and response is mandatory. According to Section 221, persons who do not respond shall be fined not more than $100. Title 18 U.S.C. Section 3571 and Section 3559, in effect amends Title 13 U.S.C. Section 221 by changing the fine for anyone over 18 years old who refuses or willfully neglects to complete the questionnaire or answer questions posed by census takers from a fine of not more than $100 to not more than $5,000.
 
I would answer the Constitutional question, specifically, the one about # of people.

All of the rest of the questions get None of the Governments F business.

As for the fine? I think it would make a great court case. We have my right to privacy being invaded, as well as a violation of my 8th amendment rights.

In regards to the original question, as an FFL holder, I do have to keep some records that the government gets to know about some of my guns. I made an agreement there, one I was not fond of, but I would comply there. Beyond that, being told "It is the law" means somewhere in the area of jack to me.
 
This topic has come up before I think. Lots of Kommando style responses but there was one poster who actually consulted a lawyer after receiving the paperwork, unlike most of the commentators. IIRC, his lawyer said to answer because it wasn't in his best interests to ignore it given the fines associated with it and other issues for him personally.

That isn't the old school census you received. Everyone who gets all big chested about this haven't looked into the legality of this questionaire. The GOA says Congress has the authority to compell you to answer it, don't think they can't despite chest thumping otherwise. Tell them to "F-it" as some suggest, but keep your wallet handy. Black Helicopters are coming!
 
I would lie and then request a jury trial (To which our elected representatives would reply: "A jura whatta?")

Then I suppose I'd go to jail and hope we gun owners overcrowd the place.
 
I wonder how many of us really don't remember ever seeing that package? File 13. Ask for a jury trial and correct number of copies for the jurors to peruse.
 
I just looked at that form on .gov's website, and while i agree that most of it is none of their business, I didn't see anything all that offensive and the IRS already knows all that stuff anyway. There was nothing about guns or religion or drugs or politics or sexual practices or... Mostly just how many people live there, and what's your age, education level, income, and basic fixed living expenses.
 
The census on the federal level is mandated by the Constitution, every ten years, to determine the number of representatives a state gets. Because of the importance of this, I am sure it would be against the law to refuse to answer it altogether. I do agree that any other question asked by it (other than how many persons live at a given address) is a grey area at best, but IANAL.

I am puzzled by this:

I ask this because I recently received a "survey" from the cencus bureau.
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The next federal census is not until 2010. :confused:

If this imaginary census were to ask how many firearms I had, I would put down "one Hi-Point." :neener:
 
I don't know how they could charge you, they would first have to prove you received it and willfully ignored it. Sorry sir ask the post office where it is:neener:
 
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