DC wants residents to waive 4A rights and let police search their homes for guns

[awkx]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...031202717.html

Mayor Adrian Fenty wants the residents of Washington DC to voluntarily waive their 4th Amendment rights and let the police search their homes for "illegal" guns and drugs. Those who cooperate will supposedly be given amnesty after the offending guns and/or drugs are confiscated.

From the WaPo article:

The program will begin March 24 in the Washington Highlands area of Southeast Washington, where officers will go door to door asking residents for permission to search their homes. It will then expand to other areas of the city.

[DCChris]

It would not surprise me a bit to see this thing fly considering these are the same people that re-elected Marion Barry after his coke laden romp with a prostitute.....ON TAPE!!!!

[chugger95]

Was browsing the forums with the news on in the background and caught the end of a report about the safe homes initiative and how they are going to be asking to randomly warrantless search houses for guns. Amnesty would be granted for any guns or drugs. Guns would be "checked" for use in crimes and that would be dealt with. How stupid do they think criminals really are. Yeah come on in and find all my guns and drugs. Then lets not even charge them with anything if we do find drugs and illegal guns. Real Smart. On top of that lets just search houses cause we feel like it.

http://www.nbc4.com/news/15574438/de...=headlineclick

[Broomhandle]

So here is why this is going to work in DC, at least at first....
Cops come to the door and ask to speak to the home owner, most likely an elderly person. They get permission because the home owner has nothing to hide. But, they do find the stash of drugs and guns hidden there by the homeowners grandchild/cousin/nephew. The scum committing crimes there typically not the same people who own homes or are the name on the lease.
Of course this program will work only until some poor grandmother gets her head beaten in for "snitching". And when they find drugs will they try to seize the property under civil forfeiture?

[headcase]

Sounds like they're nervous about the pending SC hearing to me..........

[Agent Smith]

Originally Posted by headcase

Sounds like they're nervous about the pending SC hearing to me..........

That's the first thing that went through my head.

[KeithPA]

Isn't this happen in Boston? or somewhere in the NE already?

[Emptymag]

Originally Posted by DeltaII5

Isn't this happen in Boston? or somewhere in the NE already?

Yes. It says that in the article.



This exact topic was discussed here before. It sickens me that we are again discussing it. Not complaining about duplicate threads, my "complaint" is duplicate THREATS to our rights.

I'm in a hurry, so I'll just say "Grrrrrrr."

[LittleRedToyota]

i think it would be rather hilarious if a few DC lawyers went around following the police and letting everyone whose doors they were knocking on know that they do not have to let the police in...no matter how they ask or what they say.

ooohhhh...that would be fun.

[ChamberedRound]

Here's what concerns me about this oppressive scheme:

What if, when the guv'ment comes knocking, you refuse to allow them to violate your 4th amendment rights. Can they use your refusal as probable cause to then search your house anyway?

After all, they're just the "good government" doing their duty to keep everyone safe.... yecch.