Prison Farms?

[Tax Counsel]

you can contact your own Congressmen.

I think the better word here would be Congressperson. A number of the representatives in the House are, after all, women, including the one who represents my district.

Just understand that the laws you need are state laws, not federal. Most crimes committed are not federal offenses and instead are simply violations of state law.

 

[Southeast US]

I think the better word here would be Congressperson. A number of the representatives in the House are, after all, women, including the one who represents my district.

Just understand that the laws you need are state laws, not federal. Most crimes committed are not federal offenses and instead are simply violations of state law.

True, I'm just not politically correct, lol.

One reason why I contacted my State Congressman and not my US Congressmen (which in my case would be useless anyway).

But, what is stopping this from becoming a Federal Offense?

 

[Tax Counsel]

One reason why I contacted my State Congressman and not my US Congressmen (which in my case would be useless anyway).

No state has a Congress so there are no state congresspersons. The term for the members of the lower house of a state's legislature varies by state, but most often the term used is representative.

But, what is stopping this from becoming a Federal Offense?

Stop what, exactly, from being a federal offense? It would have to be a violation of some federal statute and that federal offense must be one that involves the United States (for example, the crime is committed on federal property) or a United States official (e.g. the assassination of the President) or have some interstate connection. Most crimes committed are not violations of federal law and thus would not be federal offenses. They are instead state law offenses.

 

[Southeast US]

No state has a Congress so there are no state congresspersons. The term for the members of the lower house of a state's legislature varies by state, but most often the term used is representative.

Appreciate that info, I had a feeling that I was mis-labeling. It is not one of my strong points.

I should have said "State Representative".

But tell me this. Wasn't it you that mentioned "Congressperson"? Why would you state that if this could not be a Federal issue?

Even though you did explain that under it. But that just threw me the curve ball.

All is good.

 

[Southeast US]

Stop what, exactly, from being a federal offense? It would have to be a violation of some federal statute and that federal offense must be one that involves the United States (for example, the crime is committed on federal property) or a United States official (e.g. the assassination of the President) or have some interstate connection. Most crimes committed are not violations of federal law and thus would not be federal offenses. They are instead state law offenses.

Understood. Kind of reminds me of States Rights, which I am in favor of.

If this could be implemented in Virginia and if it showed great results, it could be a good example to the rest of the country.

We need it here in Virginia. The 3 UVA students that were just murdered is probably what got me going on this again. But this time I decided to proceed on it.

That and the local news reports of shootings just about every other night.

 

[cbg]

Thanks for the correction, Tax - you are absolutely correct. Mea culpa

 

[adjusterjack]

But tell me this. Wasn't it you that mentioned "Congressperson"? Why would you state that if this could not be a Federal issue?

Because firearms laws and penalties can be federal and state. Federal - contact your congressperson. State - contact your state representatives. If you want to push this further there are cities and towns that also enact firearms laws (Chicago and New York City for examples). For those you contact the city or town councils.

 

[Southeast US]

Because firearms laws and penalties can be federal and state. Federal - contact your congressperson. State - contact your state representatives. If you want to push this further there are cities and towns that also enact firearms laws (Chicago and New York City for examples). For those you contact the city or town councils.

I did contact my closest city a good while back with something similar, where most of the local shootings happen by the way, but never heard back. Even though a Southern city surrounded by Republican counties, it is Democratic who are known to be soft on crime, therefore I was really not surprised.

(Hope it's OK to mention political parties on this site).

Good to hear about the Federal possibilities. Appreciate that info.

 

[justblue]

I did contact my closest city a good while back with something similar, where most of the local shootings happen by the way, but never heard back. Even though a Southern city surrounded by Republican counties, it is Democratic who are known to be soft on crime, therefore I was really not surprised.

(Hope it's OK to mention political parties on this site).

Good to hear about the Federal possibilities. Appreciate that info.

Interesting. I am from a deeply blue state with very strict gun laws...curiously there have been no mass shootings and gun violence is lower than just about every other state in this country. Curious that.

 

[Southeast US]

Interesting. I am from a deeply blue state with very strict gun laws...curiously there have been no mass shootings and gun violence is lower than just about every other state in this country. Curious that.

Good to hear. But curious to know if your gun laws are against the general public (law abiding citizens) or do they target the law breakers?

 

[justblue]

Good to hear. But curious to know if your gun laws are against the general public (law abiding citizens) or do they target the law breakers?

Massachusetts. Feel free to look it up.

Sane, law abiding citizens may own a weapon. You are required to have an extensive backround check. You are required to go through training and safty course. You are required to have a gun safe.

And kudos to the Massachusetts State Police for catching gun runners trying to infest the state with illegal guns.

If other states would follow Massachusetts example then perhaps there wouldn't be so many mass shootings in their states.

 

[Southeast US]

Glad to see that you are happy with the gun laws in your state.

But you are restricted. If you feel threatened and feel the need to immediately have a gun in your house to protect you and/or your family, you cannot go down to your local gun store, buy one and bring it home the same day.

Also, with a gun safe, you cannot have a gun handy and ready to grab in case of need. If someone is breaking into your house and you need a gun quick, you would need to go thru the hassles of getting it out of the safe first, which very well could be too late.

I subscribe to a magazine that publishes 7 or 8 stories per month from all around the US on heroic stories of having a gun in the house and having it readily available resulting with the home break-in criminals on the losing end and families protected.

I like a state with freedoms, but yet punishes the lawbreakers.

To add a little extra, in my area there are very few thefts and break-ins. Why? Because it is well known that just about every house is well armed.

 

[Southeast US]

Massachusetts. Feel free to look it up.

Sane, law abiding citizens may own a weapon. You are required to have an extensive backround check. You are required to go through training and safty course. You are required to have a gun safe.

And kudos to the Massachusetts State Police for catching gun runners trying to infest the state with illegal guns.

If other states would follow Massachusetts example then perhaps there wouldn't be so many mass shootings in their states.

Wow, I also just learned that you need a License to buy Ammo in MA.

Here in Virginia, I can buy it at my local Wal-Mart. Also can order it online and have UPS deliver it to my door. No License necessary.

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

Rather we need to do more to break the gang presence in prisons...

Any ideas on that?

 

[Tax Counsel]

Worrying about prisoners being more violent when released is silly. With strict probation just put them back in once they prove otherwise.

Not silly at all. Locking them up AFTER they've committed the crime does no good for the victims. We need to consider how the prisons affect the inmates and ensure, to the extent we can, they come out of them as better citizens, not worse.

 

[Southeast US]

Not silly at all. Locking them up AFTER they've committed the crime does no good for the victims. We need to consider how the prisons affect the inmates and ensure, to the extent we can, they come out of them as better citizens, not worse.

Nothing wrong with doing both.

I'm all for making them better citizens, but no one has figured it out yet?

Criminals have been locked up for centuries.

How long does it take?

And what are you, us, them doing about it?

I also seem to be needing to keep repeating myself. "How is that going to quickly stop the present Gun Violence out there"? The reason I started this thread in the first place.

 

[Southeast US]

This reminds me of another story on how being tough can work. I also knew a retired prison warden. Nice guy, but you could tell he was tough as nails when needed to be and he didn't take anyone's bull.

He was in charge of a prison in Eastern Virginia somewhere around the 50's, '60's, and 70s.

There was a pretty tough inmate there, but my friend saw something in him. One day he called him up into his office and said "Johnny, how would you like to go to school". Johnny replied "Bleep that, I ain't going to no bleepin school". My friend said "OK, escort this guy to 21 days of solitary confinement". After the 21 days, my friend called him back up to his office. He said "Johnny, how would you like to go to school". Johnny replied, "yes sir, I sure would". He went to school, learned a trade and had a successful release.

 

[adjusterjack]

I also seem to be needing to keep repeating myself.

That's right. You are repeating yourself. That puts you into troll territory and gets the thread locked.