Articles like this bother me. Not so much the subject matter, but the people who raise their voices crying "Infringement upon civil liberties!"
Boston police are launching a program that will call upon parents in high-crime neighborhoods to allow detectives into their homes, without a warrant, to search for guns in their children's bedrooms.
The program, which is already raising questions about civil liberties, is based on the premise that parents are so fearful of gun violence and the possibility that their own teenagers will be caught up in it that they will turn to police for help, even in their own households.
In the next two weeks, Boston police officers who are assigned to schools will begin going to homes where they believe teenagers might have guns. The officers will travel in groups of three, dress in plainclothes to avoid attracting negative attention, and ask the teenager's parent or legal guardian for permission to search. If the parents say no, police said, the officers will leave.
If officers find a gun, police said, they will not charge the teenager with unlawful gun possession, unless the firearm is linked to a shooting or homicide.
[...]
"I just have a queasy feeling anytime the police try to do an end run around the Constitution," said Thomas Nolan, a former Boston police lieutenant who now teaches criminology at Boston University. "The police have restrictions on their authority and ability to conduct searches. The Constitution was written with a very specific intent, and that was to keep the law out of private homes unless there is a written document signed by a judge and based on probable cause. Here, you don't have that."
The truth is, that the 4th ammendment to the Constitution does not, in fact limit VOLUNTARY searches of personal property.
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.
-United States Archives
If an individual who owns property VOLUNTARILY allows the police to search that property for their own security, what CIVIL LIBERTY has been thwarted? Who came up with this term CIVIL LIBERTY anyway? The Constitution and its subsequent amendments was drafted for the security of the American People, by process of limiting the power of the Federal Government. It was not drafted to keep cops from finding illegal guns. It was not drafted to protect the rights of non-citizens (actually the very first Article of the Constitution addresses the legal process for immigration). It was not drafted to "protect my privacy." "My Personal Privacy" has become a cry by people who fear that their illegal or immoral activities may be discovered. A Christian who serves Christ faithfully should NEVER have any fear of his/her privacy being invaded.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not in favor of Big Brother. I just hate when people try to "interpret" the Constitution to meet their own agendas. It's right there in black and white (or rather Black and Parchment). Take it, or leave it...or attempt to Ammend it. But PLEASE don't misinterpret it!
(also, the Bible is not open for interpretation either. That's for Bro. Derek :D )
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