Violating the Constitution in New Orleans

While looters were shooting at them the police made the situation less safe. Did the police need the help and cooperation of law-abiding citizens? Yes, they needed them. But the police refused them.

The police violated the Constitution of the United States by confiscating the legal weapons of law-abiding people.

But they didn't take guns from the criminals.

So they made the situation less safe.

By what authority did they do this? None. What they did was illegal.

Dimitri Vassarlos of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has this one liner:

Businesses selling bumper stickers that read "If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns" also should offer one with the rejoinder "We told you so."

Update. See also Gun Owners of America

Update. 9/24/05 The police now have to obey the Constitution because a "higher authority" requires them to; a federal judge issued a restraining order. Why they were exempt before I dont' know.

In The Houston Chronicle

In documents filed in federal court in Baton Rouge, La., New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, Police Chief Eddie Compass and St. Tammany Sheriff Jack Strain deny ordering the confiscation of firearms.

But news reports quoted Compass as saying that only law enforcement officials would be allowed to have firearms and Deputy Chief Warren Riley as saying, "We are going to take all the weapons."

And we saw what they said on those news reports.