Sometimes called "a novel legal theory" -- and a simple and fair
response to gun confiscations in Louisiana:
Indict officials who violate the Constitution and trample
fundamental rights.
Use basic civil-rights laws against these alleged gun-rights
offenders --
Federal law 18 USC § 241. "Conspiracy against rights"
The Gist: If two or more people conspire to injure, oppress,
threaten or intimidate any person in the free exercise or enjoyment
of any right or privilege secured under the Constitution or laws of
the United States, they shall be fined, or imprisoned up to ten
years, or both. The same penalty applies if two or more people go,
in disguise, on the highway, or on the premises of a person, with
similar intent to prevent or hinder such rights or privileges.
If death results from such acts, or if such acts include kidnapping,
attempted kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, attempted
aggravated sexual assault, or an attempt to kill, they may be fined,
imprisoned for any term of years up to life, or put to death. (See
also 18-242, 18-1001 and 42-1983.)
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Verbatim text of statute:
18 USC § 241. "Conspiracy against rights"
If two or more persons conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, or
intimidate any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth,
Possession, or District in the free exercise or enjoyment of any
right or privilege secured to him by the Constitution or laws of the
United States, or because of his having so exercised the same; or
If two or more persons go in disguise on the highway, or on the
premises of another, with intent to prevent or hinder his free
exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege so secured—
They shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than
ten years, or both; and if death results from the acts committed in
violation of this section or if such acts include kidnapping or an
attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit
aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, they shall be fined
under this title or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or
both, or may be sentenced to death. [Notes: June 25, 1948 (171
words); Title 18. Crimes and Criminal Procedure; Part I: Crimes;
Chapter 13: Civil Rights.]
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Action You Can Take:
1. Hello, I'm a local resident and I have a question for my Senator
(or Congressman). pause, listen
2. It concerns civil rights. Have you heard about the gun
confiscations in Louisiana?
3. Let me email you some background that will make this easier, is
that OK? Then I could call back. (Email any or all of this message
as you see fit.) How do you spell your name?
4. I learned that there is a federal law, "18 USC 241" that provides
a ten-year prison sentence for anyone who interferes with, and I'm
quoting, "the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege
secured to him by the Constitution or laws of the United States."
Where do you think the Senator would stand on indicting the
apparently illegal gun confiscators? pause. So would the Senator
support disarming the public during emergencies?
WARNING: They will likely balk, tell you it doesn't apply, say
you're wrong or make many other excuses. Do not accept that. I'll
help you if some excuse seems impassable; they're not, I've heard a
ton, they all fall once you look closely. Insist on enforcement of
the plain clear language of the law. The authorities are not above
the law, and they must be brought to justice.
Just fair play.
Alan.
BACKGROUNDER:
see article