County Sheriff in Wyoming Sticks it to the Feds

Bighorn County, Wyoming Sheriff Dave Mattishas taken a stand against Federal Agencies that have historically stomped on states rights unchecked. According to the judge in a 2006 U.S. District Court decision, Case No. 2:96-cv-099-J a duly elected sheriff has rights and powers exceeding that of any other state or federal official. Unfortunately this stand for state and local rights has been limited to Wyoming but it doesn't have to be. Contact your local sheriff and remind them of the power they have to protect your rights against the "jackbooted thugs" of the federal government. Check out this article for more information: County Sheriff Can Bust Big Brother: Wyoming Sheriffs Put Feds in Their Place

Supreme Court Rules Second Amendment Applies to States

Finally something positive to post. Today the US Supreme Court ruled 5/4 that the Second Amendment grants and INDIVIDUAL right to keep and bear arms and that it was a protection against State and local laws. Before we get all giddy though this does not overturn any existing laws, but it does lend support to any lower court cases challenging such laws. Also this may not necessarily negate any and all gun control laws, possibly leaving it open to allowing state and local governments to have "common sense" laws that "protect the public" without being over restrictive. Unfortunately many of these "common sense" gun control laws come with prohibitively high fees that effectively limit the ability of those with low income from obtaining or possessing a firearm. Unfortunately citizens of lower income are often more likely to live in areas of high crime and insufficient police protection. One more thing, before you decide to strap on that iron before you leave the house, this ruling does not necessarily mean that you can roam the streets armed, though in my thinking the right to bear arms should apply away from home as much as on your own property. What good is a handgun locked up in the safe at home do for you when you're getting mugged outside the local Quickee Mart? I haven't read the McDonald v. Chicago decision yet but I heard some bits of it on the radio and it sounds worth the effort to read. Check out the links below for more info. The fight is just beginning but it's nice to see freedom making some headway for a change.

McDonald v. Chicago decision text (PDF)
John Stossel - Some good graphs and statistics relating to gun control
BBC News - US Supreme Court extends gun rights
Los Angeles Times - Supreme Court strikes down ban on handguns
Washington Post - Gun rights case: Supreme Court rules on second amendment

FBI Abuse of Power

More proof that power corrupts.