Loss of Privacy

Currently, there is a new bill in the House of Representatives that would create a nationaly registration database for firearms.  Please, take the time to read it and leave feedback with your Representatives so that it can be defeated.

The application requirements are as follows:

(a) In General- In order to be issued a firearm license under this title, an individual shall submit to the Attorney General (in accordance with the regulations promulgated under subsection (b)) an application, which shall include–

• (1) a current, passport-sized photograph of the applicant that provides a clear, accurate likeness of the applicant;

• (2) the name, address, and date and place of birth of the applicant;

• (3) any other name that the applicant has ever used or by which the applicant has ever been known;

• (4) a clear thumb print of the applicant, which shall be made when, and in the presence of the entity to whom, the application is submitted;

• (5) with respect to each category of person prohibited by Federal law, or by the law of the State of residence of the applicant, from obtaining a firearm, a statement that the individual is not a person prohibited from obtaining a firearm;

• (6) a certification by the applicant that the applicant will keep any firearm owned by the applicant safely stored and out of the possession of persons who have not attained 18 years of age;

• (7) a certificate attesting to the completion at the time of application of a written firearms examination, which shall test the knowledge and ability of the applicant regarding–

• • (A) the safe storage of firearms, particularly in the vicinity of persons who have not attained 18 years of age;

• • (B) the safe handling of firearms;

• • (C) the use of firearms in the home and the risks associated with such use;

• • (D) the legal responsibilities of firearms owners, including Federal, State, and local laws relating to requirements for the possession and storage of firearms, and relating to reporting requirements with respect to firearms; and

• • (E) any other subjects, as the Attorney General determines to be appropriate;

• (8) an authorization by the applicant to release to the Attorney General or an authorized representative of the Attorney General any mental health records pertaining to the applicant;

• (9) the date on which the application was submitted; and

• (10) the signature of the applicant.

(b) Regulations Governing Submission- The Attorney General shall promulgate regulations specifying procedures for the submission of applications to the Attorney General under this section, which regulations shall–

• (1) provide for submission of the application through a licensed dealer or an office or agency of the Federal Government designated by the Attorney General;

• (2) require the applicant to provide a valid identification document (as defined in section 1028(d)(2) of title 18, United States Code) of the applicant, containing a photograph of the applicant, to the licensed dealer or to the office or agency of the Federal Government, as applicable, at the time of submission of the application to that dealer, office, or agency; and

• (3) require that a completed application be forwarded to the Attorney General not later than 48 hours after the application is submitted to the licensed dealer or office or agency of the Federal Government, as applicable.

(c) Fees-

• (1) IN GENERAL- The Attorney General shall charge and collect from each applicant for a license under this title a fee in an amount determined in accordance with paragraph (2).

• (2) FEE AMOUNT- The amount of the fee collected under this subsection shall be not less than the amount determined by the Attorney General to be necessary to ensure that the total amount of all fees collected under this subsection during a fiscal year is sufficient to cover the costs of carrying out this title during that fiscal year, except that such amount shall not exceed $25.

“Laws that forbid the carrying of arms… disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes… Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants…” — Thomas Jefferson in “Commonplace Book,” 1774-1776

The House Democrats were supposed to be working on a $825 billion stimulus bill, but they just couldn’t keep their meddling hands out of it and managed to slip in net neutrality stipulations as well.

The House is trying to slip net neutrality in through the back door, while no one is looking.  After all, are you going to vote against helping stimulate the economy?  Having achieved this goal once before with the REAL-ID Act, they are planning to do their own thing again, citizens be damned.

The catch is that the federal largesse comes with Net neutrality strings attached. The Commerce Department must ensure that the recipients “adhere to” the Federal Communications Commission’s 2005 broadband policy statement (PDF)–which the FCC said at the time was advisory and “not enforceable,” and has become the subject of a lawsuit before a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C.

One interpretation of the “adhere to” requirement is that a company like AT&T, Verizon, or Comcast that takes “stimulus” dollars to deploy broadband in, say, Nebraska must abide by these rules nationwide. (It’s rather like the state of Nebraska demanding that a broadband provider filter out porn nationwide in exchange for a lucrative government contract.)

Except that is not what net neutrality is like.  Net neutrality is about equal access for all.  It guarantees free and equal competitive markets on the Internet.  Blocking anything is completely against what net neutrality is.

In addition, recipients must operate broadband and high-speed wireless networks on an “open access basis.” The FCC, soon to be under Democratic control, is charged with deciding what that means. Congress didn’t see fit to include a definition.

We will now have a law on the books, whereby the definition of said law will be determined at a later date.

If the Internet is naturally neutral by design, why should we allow politicians to screw it up?