I find it interesting that those that rant and rave about gun control and constitutional protections don't seem to have nearly the same objections to the Patriot Act in regard to basic freedoms being taken away by federal legislation.

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US Constitution (Bill of Rights) US Patriot Act
Amendment IV: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. Freedom from unreasonable searches: The government may search and seize Americans' papers and effects without probable cause to assist terror investigation.
Amendment VI: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense. Right to a speedy and public trial: The government may jail Americans indefinitely without a trial.
Amendment I: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Freedom of association: To assist terror investigation, the government may monitor religious and political institutions without suspecting criminal activity.
Amendment VI: ... to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense. Right to legal representation: The government may monitor conversations between attorneys and clients in federal prisons and deny lawyers to Americans accused of crimes.
Amendment I: Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech ... Freedom of speech: The government may prosecute librarians or keepers of any other records if they tell anyone the government subpoenaed information related to a terror investigation.
Amendment VI: ... to be confronted with the witnesses against him ... Right to liberty: Americans may be jailed without being charged or being able to confront witnesses against them. US citizens (labeled "unlawful combatants") have been held incommunicado and refused attorneys.

There's a fairly basic and straightforward reason for this apparent contradiction, but it's very political incorrect and borderline racist to put it bluntly. Suffice it to say that when it comes to the Patriot Act, the perception is that the freedoms being curtailed are those of the "others", who must hate freedom. The gun lobby, on the other hand, is appealing to a very different looking crowd, and has convinced them that the federal government is coming after their rights. It's a whole different ballgame when it's "others" whose rights are threatened.

I don't see the NRA or the congressmen advocating the need for guns using that line of argument. Maybe because they know that it has nothing to do with "protecting" yourself against the vicious and mean federal government.

In the US it's almost impossible to get a full dictatorial government or getting right wing fascist governments, simply due to your two party political system. Add to the fact that republican party needs to become more liberal if they're to get minority voters then you have successfully removed any chance for a Hitler type to run your country.

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That back door might be there soon.

The patriot act allows the president to declare martial law. He can do this by executive order, as MrNudiePants says. The National Security Council is give a great deal of power in the act as well. In the event of an emergency, or whatever whoever is in charge at the time wants to call an emergency, the government can seize control of all transportation, including airports, or course, and highways. The government can seize every hospital, every school and every public facility as well as seizing all financial institutions, schools, hospitals and pretty much anything it wants. This is all there in the bill. They don't need a back door if the front door is wide open.

There are lots of people who will gladly use the Patriot Act as evidence that we need a strong pro-gun interpretation of the second amendment, but under the Patriot Act the government can seize all the weapons too. I'd like to see someone refuse to give up their guns when their house is surrounded by an infantry battalion. An untrained population isn't going to be able to put up much resistance in the event of a military dictatorship.

There is really no good argument for the possession of assault weapons by individuals. I doubt that the framers of the Constitution foresaw a weapon that could kill every child in a classroom without reloading. The second amendment was written at a time when people were using muzzle loaders and no gun fired more than once. I'm pretty sure that Ben Franklin and Tom Jefferson would be more appalled at the provisions of the Patriotic act than at attempts to limit deadly weapons.

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I am a whore. Find something else to fight about. - Nell Gwyn (to her coachman, who was fighting a man for calling her a whore)