Buffalo, New York police are now visiting the homes of those recently departed in search of firearms as part of a new plan to help keep tabs on local guns.
The move, put into effect by Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda, is described as an effort to stop firearms, specifically handguns, from winding up back in circulation and off the books.
“We recently started a program where we’re cross referencing all the pistol permit holders with the death records, and we’re sending people out to collect the guns whenever possible so that they don’t end up in the wrong hands,” Derenda told WGRZ. “Because at times they lay out there and the family is not aware of them and they end up just out on the street.”
City code forbids disposing of a firearm unless it is to a gunsmith or licensed firearms dealer or as part of a testamentary bequest such as directed by a will. However, these guns can be voluntarily surrendered.
Get this, your family member passes away, and while you’re dealing with all the emotional and legal business that comes with the end of somebody’s life, now uniformed cops are going to come by to look at the departed’s guns. Also sounds like they may be using a lot of coercion and intimidation to leave the home with those guns and permission to destroy, or otherwise dispose of them.
Sometimes you need to step back from the libertarian “I know my rights” Wookie-Suit reference, and think of how these family members might feel. The guns aren’t theirs yet, that needs to be settled in estate. New York has crappy gun laws, so already there is a little bit of a legal tightrope when it comes to gun ownership in that state, and now cops show up in uniform uninvited and ask to see the departed’s guns?
Do they know they can tell them to leave the property? Do they know that if they coerce them to give up the guns on the spot that’s technically theft? Do they know they probably won’t be leading them out in handcuffs and leave other family members alone to deal with the estate?
Yeah, but the pro-gun side is all a bunch of bullies!
I have to say that, if I were dealing with this situation, by gut reaction would be to tell the Nice Policeman ™, “No, you may not come into my house at this time, during the upset over my loved one’s death, and paw through his effects, but I tell you what I will do. I’ll give you a five minute head start.”
Yeah, but that’s coming from somebody who knows the text of the 4th Amendment! Try asking a random person at the grocery store, or around the water cooler at work. There are far too many people who think if a cop asks to enter your property your choices are A) Comply, B)Get Arrested, or C) Get Shot.
Once again… Ignorance is Strength
I’m reminded of this bit here…
http://youtu.be/6wXkI4t7nuc
A video EVERYBODY should watch!
And there are far, far too many cops who think those are the only options.