The Supreme Court On Felony Gun Possession
by Buck • Tuesday, February 24th, 2009 - 1:13 pm“…the federal law is ambiguous and that the case should have been resolved in Hayes’ favor. Ten years in jail is too much to hinge on the will-o’-the-wisp of statutory meaning pursued by the majority.” -Chief Justice John Roberts
A damn good argument can be made about felons not owning guns. But ten years of jail time? Isn’t that a bit harsh, people? He was only in possession of firearms. He didn’t use them.
Unless I missed something important here, Roberts and Scalia called this one right. Feel free to point out the errors of my way though. Maybe I just need a bit more clarification. This head cold from hell may be clouding my thinking.
Tagged: Randy Hayes, West Virginia, firearms, gunsCourt upholds conviction in guns case
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the conviction of a West Virginia man for violating a federal law barring people convicted in domestic violence cases from possessing firearms.
In a 7-2 vote, the court ruled that a federal appeals court in Richmond, Va., wrongly threw out the conviction of Randy Edward Hayes. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote the majority opinion. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Antonin Scalia dissented.
The federal government, gun control groups and women’s rights advocates worried that a ruling for Hayes would have weakened the federal law enacted in 1996 that applied the 40-year-old ban on gun possession by a felon to people convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors.
February 24th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
I'm inclined to agree with you, Buck. In today's litigious society it is far too easy to be convicted of a domestic violence crime that never really happened. He-said she-said trials revolve around sensationalism, emotion, and propagana more than facts - often based on a desire for emotional revenge. Frequently, accusations are tried by judge or simply no-lo'd - which leaves one with a conviction due to the extreme cost of defense. In GA they have gun happy NRA laws that imbue the public with the attitude that it is OK to shoot someone in the back if you feel "threatened." Falling leaves threaten some of these idiots, so I don't feel very comfortable about redundant laws which promote violence.
Disclaimer: I own a handgun. I used to spend a lot of time traveling dark backroads and unfamiliar territory. Yet in 25 years, have never pointed it at anyone or displayed it publicly. It's not a toy. I also own a large, evil looking, shotgun styled weapon made of black plastic that shoots little yellow rubber balls at squirrels on the birdfeeder. They just look at you funny after the first few times of being hit in the rump... I also have a water pistol that looks like an Oozi. I'd recommend not carrying that one in public. These are toys, but don't look it. They are from a time before kid's toy guns (I know...) were colored bright yellow, orange, red and blue.
February 24th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
That's nothing! I have a bright yellow top, a yo-yo that lights up and a big bag of bubblegum.
hehehe
February 24th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I have a wrist rocket slingshot with bright orange plastic ball projectiles and steel ball bearing like projectiles. I use it to "discourage" pigeons from nesting on the roof of the house. We have a fake owl up there that is supposed to scare them off, but they like to land on it and use it as their toilet. The sadist in me would prefer to use the lethal steel projectiles but with my luck the first stray shot would pop one of the neighbor's windows. I have not been on the receiving end of one of the steel balls but it's safe to assume that one would do whatever to avoid getting hit a second time.
February 24th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Bro, there's always the big scary eyes balloon!
I had a problem with doves roosting on tree limbs over my car. I lived in a condominium at the time and that was the only parking spot I had.
Tried different thing, but nothing. The board came up with a smart idea - they chopped the trees down!
Took care of the bird problem, but I was in an end unit and it ruined the looks of the place.
February 24th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Plus the trees probably provided shade for your car on hot summer days, no?
February 24th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
As far as squirrels getting at bird feeders, they make plastic domes that you put above (or below) the feeder. The dome is not in a fixed position, they are suspended from a single string to the center and will not support the squirrel. When the squirrel jumps on the dome it tilts and the squirrel falls off. Easy and very cheap solution. Requires no weapon or operator. After a few tries they realize its futile and give up.
February 24th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
There were very few spots with any shade. I was lucky (at first).
Between the time the trees came down and before I moved, I had to step out each morning and crack the windows.
February 24th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
We've tried every squirrel proof feeder made. Some work better than others, but they eventually figure them out. They really are smart, determined little f'ers. They will spend half the day leaping 30 feet from a tree on the off chance they can grab something to hang n too amidst the domes, baffles, and traps.
As for the toys, Buck, you should see the GIJoe fights the Islamofacist Muslim Axis of Evil action figure set. And the 5000 piece Lego set. So go blow your bubble-gum while we destroy the world in one last Imperialist crusade.
You should know not to pay any attention to my rambling - I'm senile.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
I ain't talking about my toys. No no no
February 24th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Yeah, I've already seen the content of you girls bedside tables.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Dr. Know, "senile" is being nice. I think of you as just another old fart.
LOLOLOL!
February 24th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Old fart I can live with - but just another?
I feared it was all over with but the embalming.
Ya feelin' lucky, punk?
(In my best Clint voice...)
February 24th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
*pilfers through QGirls toys... chooses one... hit's "old fart" over the head with it and runs*
hehehe
February 24th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
I'm tellin ya the dome works better than an Obama speech.
February 25th, 2009 at 12:40 am
We have domes, Bro. It stops them 8 times out of ten. The thuds as they hit it and bounce to the ground are... ah... amusing. The infallible solution was the manually actuated electrified feeder - it was hillarious.
February 26th, 2009 at 9:42 am
has anyone seen the film "Felon"???
it has some relation to this matter of the ease with which one can be convicted as a felon