Minnesota Tyrant

Recently I have learned of a public figure in my home state of Minnesota that I have developed a strong distate for, and whom I beleive to be a bigger threat to my liberties than the men and women in our legislature.  The man is Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan, who has established a very anti-gun record in our state. 

I first heard of Tim Dolan’s statist views on guns when he endorsed federal legislation to ban high capacity magazines.  The ban would make it so no magazine could be sold that can hold over 10 rounds.  Advocates of the bill have claimed it is not necessary for civilians to own high capacity rounds, they make shooting incidents larger, and that only police and military should be able to possess such power.

As an owner of a few high capacity mags, I can't help but roll my eyes when the assertion is made that they are only meant to kill.  I own these magazines because I enjoy shooting and also want them for self defense.  I can't contest that having high capactiy magazines would make it easier to kill people, but the idea that only police and military officers should own them frightens me.  If the only purpose for these mags is to kill as many people as quickly as possible, then why should police officers own them?  

There are many other reasons to formulate a bad opinion of Chief Dolan, including him rewarding a SWAT team for raiding a wrong household and shooting the place up.  But the larger point I wanted to make with this blog is to be aware of your local petty tyrants. Having a police chief that does not take gun rights seriosly is just as much a threat to having a poor legislature.  

Quinnipiac Student Arrested for Filming Police

While Anthony Graber was recently cleared of all charges after filming a police officer who pulled out a gun during a routine traffic stop, it doesn't appear as though the debate over filming police is over yet. A fellow libertarian at Quinnipiac was recently arrested while trying to film a police encounter in New Haven.

Here's an excerpt from my story for the Quinnipiac Chronicle (what is the internet for, if not shameless self-promotion?):

While there are no laws on the books in Connecticut that make filming a police officer illegal, Quinnipiac senior Kenneth Hartford found out on Saturday night that it isn’t quite so simple.

According to multiple witnesses, within minutes of Hartford beginning to film a Quinnipiac student being arrested outside of Toad’s Place in New Haven, an officer tackled and handcuffed him. Hartford was charged with Disorderly Conduct and Interfering with a Police Investigation. He went on to spend the night in jail at 24 Union Avenue.

In a short video that he took on his cell phone before his arrest, officers can be heard swearing at Hartford. The officer who ultimately arrested Hartford said, “Put that in your fucking pocket and get the fuck out of here.”

The full story, as well as Hartford's video, can be found here.

Here's Your War on Terror, America

Kudos to cartoonist Cam Cardow, whose comics are some of the only things in my local paper that don't throw me into a rage.

Police Force Being Questioned in California

Following an  incident in Cornonado, California, where a police officer tased a man not wearing his seatbelt, a federal appeals court is questioning the use of Tasers.  When is it appropriate to use the a Taser? Michael Gennaco, who has conducted internal reviews of Taser use for the LAPD, comments on the decision made in the 9th circuit ruling:

This decision talks about the need for an immediate threat. . . . Some departments allow Tasers in cases of passive resistance, such as protesters who won't move," he said. Tasering for "passive resistance is out the door now with this decision. Even resistance by tensing or bracing may not qualify.

Still, there is a need to question the use of Tasers all together. Can we trust the officer to use the Taser "appropriately" and only at a time when the person refuses to comply with the officer's orders?  I don't believe so.