Thread: Bar on armed civilian patrols offered

Published: 01.20.2007

Bar on armed civilian patrols offered
By Howard Fischer
CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES
PHOENIX — A proposed new law would make felons out of members of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps — and probably some neighborhood watch groups.
HB 2286 would make it a crime for any individual or group not affiliated with law enforcement to patrol "to detect alleged illegal activity" if armed. Violators would be subject to up to 18 months in state prison.
The proposal by Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Phoenix, does not name names. But she said it is specifically aimed at the Minuteman organization "and other vigilante groups" that patrol the border looking for those entering the country illegally.
The purpose of the measure was not lost on Chris Simcox, state director of the Minuteman group. He said the measure is not only unjust but also unconstitutional, violating the right to assemble peaceably and the right to bear arms.
But Sinema said the government already infringes on these rights — and apparently in a legal way. She noted, for example, that state law spells out there are certain places where someone cannot carry a gun.
Whether it ever gets before a court is doubtful: All of the sponsors, like Sinema, are Democrats in a Legislature controlled by Republicans.
In essence, Sinema's proposal would be taking two activities that are legal — civilian patrols and carrying a gun — and defining them as domestic terrorism if done together.
"Her bill would render all neighborhood-watch groups illegal, as well as the Guardian Angels," Simcox said. "And anyone who is not sponsored or sanctioned by a law enforcement agency would be deemed to be illegal."
Sinema, however, said there is a difference.
"Block watches are neighborhood groups that coordinate on a regular basis with law enforcement officials in their state," she said. "But we don't have block-watch people who strap on their weapons, put a flag in their hat, and then go and sit on the street who is going to shoot the person who is going to jaywalk."
She conceded, though, that nothing in her measure requires some proof that a person intended to harm anyone else before conviction as a domestic terrorist: merely patrolling with a weapon would be enough. But Sinema, who is an attorney, said that omission was on purpose.
"If you include a definition of 'intent' in the statute and if anything ever were to go to court, then obviously you'd have to be able to prove intent," she said, something that can prove difficult.
Simcox said his organization is interested only in reporting illegal activity — in this case, crossing into the U.S. at places other than official entry points.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/165469

Originally Posted by mapwife

Simcox said his organization is interested only in reporting illegal activity — in this case, crossing into the U.S. at places other than official entry points.

So the full purpose of HB 2286 is to allow illegal Mexicans with weapons easier access to drug selling and gun related crimes because we Americans cannot be allowed to protect ourselves.

The comparison of our current situation with the fall of the Roman Empire is very apt. The Roman Empire fell at its harshest level when the government of Rome decided to let the invading German nation occupy parts of the Empire because they believed in multiculturalism. This move ushered in the Dark Ages which lasted a thousand years and was characterized by filth, disease, torture and short life spans.

Is the US going into a Dark Age?

When the US falls the whole world will go into one.

Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Phoenix: will be the one remembered for pushing us into a police state. This should make Bush happy since he does not like the Constitution anyway.

"A government that is big enough to give you all you want, is big enough to take it all away." - Barry Goldwater

I found this added detail on another website. I'm not happy at all that one of my representatives co-sponsored this bill.

13-2320. Domestic terrorism; classification

A. AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS COMMITS DOMESTIC TERRORISM IF THE INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH A LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITY AND ASSOCIATE WITH ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS AS AN ORGANIZATION, GROUP, CORPORATION OR COMPANY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PATROLLING TO DETECT ALLEGED ILLEGAL ACTIVITY OR TO INDIVIDUALLY PATROL FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETECTING ALLEGED ILLEGAL ACTIVITY AND IF THE INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS IS ARMED WITH A FIREARM OR OTHER WEAPON.

B. ANY CITY, TOWN OR COUNTY THAT SUFFERS INJURY ARISING OUT OF A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION MAY MAINTAIN AN ACTION IN SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE RECOVERY OF DAMAGES OR FOR AN INJUNCTION, OR BOTH. THE COURT MAY AWARD THE SUCCESSFUL PARTY REASONABLE ATTORNEY FEES.

C. IF THE COURT SENTENCES THE DEFENDANT TO A TERM OF PROBATION, THE COURT SHALL ORDER THAT AS AN INITIAL CONDITION OF PROBATION THE DEFENDANT BE IMPRISONED IN THE COUNTY JAIL FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN SIX MONTHS. THIS JAIL TERM OF INCARCERATION SHALL NOT BE DEFERRED, DELETED OR OTHERWISE SUSPENDED AND SHALL COMMENCE ON THE DATE OF SENTENCING. THIS SUBSECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO PERSONS WHO ARE SENTENCED TO SERVE A PERIOD OF INCARCERATION IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

D. A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION IS A CLASS 5 FELONY

Sponsored by

Kyrsten Sinema

Democrat District 15

Phone Number: (602) 926-5058

Fax Number: (602) 417-3015

Email Address: ksinema@azleg.gov



Co sponsored by MEZA, GALLARDO, LUJAN, TOM PREZELSKI, LOPES

This goes to Committee January 22nd.

Here is a link to the AZ House website. The pertinent portion is at the end:

http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument....ls/hb2286p.htm

I get "The page cannot be found" when I try to go to that link.

I got the link from someone else, so I'd suggest googling the Arizona legislature and maybe you'll get it.

I think we should incourage Bush and congress to take a few History lessens, not that it will do any good they certainly know the history of immigration reform 1986 and are bent on repeating it. its called insanity!!

Why doesn't the stupid...... go after gang bangers as domestic terrorist since she is so fond of that word, when is she up for re-election? Everyone here from her state should be reminding her she will be thrown out of office when she comes up for re-election!

Originally Posted by nittygritty

Why doesn't the stupid...... go after gang bangers as domestic terrorist since she is so fond of that word, when is she up for re-election? Everyone here from her state should be reminding her she will be thrown out of office when she comes up for re-election!

Government only punishes those whom they think they have control over.