# Laws that exempt Politicians! = ??? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 30, 2004, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912 "2004-09-30T20:09:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SnakeSpirit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snakespirit/32/7271_2.png) [@SnakeSpirit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakeSpirit)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912/1 "2004-09-30T20:09:07Z")
I’m thinking tyranny. I read today, that although firearms are banned in D.C., some politicians either carry personal weapons or hire armed bodyguards. Most notably that some Famous, Liberal Politicians that want guns totally outlawed, hve guns for their protection in D.C.! From professor John Lott: > [@](#): > > Well-known liberal politicians such as Senators Chuck Schumer and Ted Kennedy have armed bodyguards. This pisses me off even more than the well-know fact that Anti-Gun Rosie, of TV Fatness fame has armed bodyguards… F$^\*#ing Hypocrites! And WORSE that we have these hypocrites making our laws! ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912/2 "2004-09-30T20:13:19Z")
A SnakeSpirit thread about guns? Color me surprised! (I’m even less surprised by the lack of links and cites, but the correct forum placement has my head rolling.) ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912/3 "2004-09-30T20:14:10Z")
Considering the Kennedy family history, I don’t begrudge Ted Kennedy armed bodyguards for one minute. I would be interested in seeing your cite for the notion that “firearms are banned in DC,” including with that also please any information regarding people licensed to carry firearms and/or concealed weapons for purposes of personal protection. Cites for your assertions about Shumer and O’Donnell having armed guards would also be appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912/4 "2004-09-30T20:18:36Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > A SnakeSpirit thread about guns? Color me surprised! A SnakeSpirit thread taking potshots at Democratic politicians while ignoring the same abuses by their Republican brethren? Oh, my stars and garters! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912/5 "2004-09-30T20:24:24Z")
You silly, naive boy. Laws are made to protect government from its citizenry. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912/6 "2004-09-30T20:29:31Z")
What, no mention that Bill Clinton had armed guards when he was President? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912/7 "2004-09-30T20:30:09Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > I would be interested in seeing your cite for the notion that “firearms are banned in DC,” including with that also please any information regarding people licensed to carry firearms and/or concealed weapons for purposes of personal protection. [http://www.gop.gov/Committeecentral/bills/hr3193.asp](http://www.gop.gov/Committeecentral/bills/hr3193.asp) > [@](#): > > All handguns are banned unless they were owned and registered in the District before 1977. ---
**Author:** ![SnakeSpirit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snakespirit/32/7271_2.png) [@SnakeSpirit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakeSpirit)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912/8 "2004-09-30T21:08:47Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Considering the Kennedy family history, I don’t begrudge Ted Kennedy armed bodyguards for one minute. > > I would be interested in seeing your cite for the notion that “firearms are banned in DC,” including with that also please any information regarding people licensed to carry firearms and/or concealed weapons for purposes of personal protection. > > Cites for your assertions about Shumer and O’Donnell having armed guards would also be appreciated. I don’t berudge anyone armed bodyguards, as long as they don’t begrudge _me_ armed bodyguards! It’s the hypocricy that pisses me off. The irrelevant sarcasm of \*\*Munch \*\* and **rjung** , attempting to hijack the issue, however, is expected, and not bothersome. Gracious Thanks to \*\*Lord Ashtar \*\* for a quick cite to the apparently unbelieveable truth that so stunned **Otto the naieve**. The Rosie O’Donnell issue is so old, I doubt I could find a cite for it. It was widely known pre-AWB. As for Schumer: [read it yourself!](http://www.tsra.com/Lott114.htm) ---
**Author:** ![SnakeSpirit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snakespirit/32/7271_2.png) [@SnakeSpirit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakeSpirit)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912/9 "2004-09-30T21:11:56Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > You silly, naive boy. Laws are made to protect government from its citizenry. Exactly what one would expect from someone named **Liberal.** Thank you \*so \*much for proving the point. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912/10 "2004-09-30T21:12:47Z")
> [@SnakeSpirit](#): > > It’s the hypocricy that pisses me off. You’re voting Libertarian then? Don’t want to be a hypocrite. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912/11 "2004-09-30T21:14:09Z")
> [@SnakeSpirit](#): > > Exactly what one would expect from someone named **Liberal.** Thank you \*so \*much for proving the point. You’re welcome! Glad to oblige. Here is another point: the irony of banning firearms in the nation’s capital is positively thick. There, in the place where vigilance should be highest, the people are made most impotent. ---
**Author:** ![SnakeSpirit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snakespirit/32/7271_2.png) [@SnakeSpirit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakeSpirit)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912/12 "2004-09-30T21:19:13Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > You’re welcome! Glad to oblige. Here is another point: the irony of banning firearms in the nation’s capital is positively thick. There, in the place where vigilance should be highest, the people are made most impotent. My, you are _F A S T_ on that keyboard! I’m jealous! As to your apt point, I guess our government fears its citizens more than its criminals! (After all, when did a criminal ever try to assassinate a politician?) :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912/13 "2004-09-30T21:52:58Z")
Are these armed bodyguards private or government-issue? If the latter, doesn’t that make them a form of cop? Shouldn’t public assets such as (like it or not) elected officials have police protction? Are cops allowed to carry guns even if citizens aren’t? ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912/14 "2004-10-01T01:04:25Z")
The problem is, people like various politicians and “antigun Rosie” (and several other “show biz people”) have no qualms with getting a carry permit and/or hiring armed security for themselves, but doesn’t want anyone else to have the same ability. It is way too much like Animal Farm… all of us are equal, but some are more equal than others. The hypocrisy is appalling. Also, think about this - the cities with the worst crime (especially violent crime) are the ones with the toughest gun laws. NYC has the Sullivan Law. It still has violent crime, lots of it. DC has tough laws, and still has plenty of violent crime. LA has fairly tough laws, and plenty of gang related violence. If you’re a “personality”, it is ridiculously easy to get the permit, if you’re a nobody, forget it. Loonies like Phil Spector or Robert Blake no problem. Me, probably no way. It seems we’re headed to a time when the only ones able to get guns are going to be either “famous people” or criminals. ---
**Author:** ![SnakeSpirit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snakespirit/32/7271_2.png) [@SnakeSpirit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakeSpirit)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912/15 "2004-10-01T04:22:30Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > It seems we’re headed to a time when the only ones able to get guns are going to be either “famous people” or criminals. Headed? Well, I suppose it depends on which state and district thereof you live in. IMO, ‘headed’ is history. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912/16 "2004-10-01T13:49:22Z")
> [@SnakeSpirit](#): > > Exactly what one would expect from someone named **Liberal.** Thank you \*so \*much for proving the point. Holy whoosh Batman! If I didn’t know better, I’d have thought SnakeSpirit was \*trying \* to not get the sarcasm dripping from Lib’s post. ---
**Author:** ![MMI](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/53a042/32.png) [@MMI](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MMI)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912/17 "2004-10-01T14:52:54Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > You’re welcome! Glad to oblige. Here is another point: the irony of banning firearms in the nation’s capital is positively thick. There, in the place where vigilance should be highest, the people are made most impotent. Clarification please. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912/18 "2004-10-01T17:23:16Z")
> [@SnakeSpirit](#): > > Gracious Thanks to \*\*Lord Ashtar \*\* for a quick cite to the apparently unbelieveable truth that so stunned **Otto the naieve**. No need to be a prick about it, ya prick. You claimed that firearms were banned in DC and I asked for a cite on that (a cite which, by the by, indicates that your assertion is false). Next time try backing up your OP, ya know, _in your OP_ and then people won’t have to ask for cites. Prick. (of course I’d still rather see a cite from some source other than a GOP flack site that yammers about “restoring Second Amendment rights” but since I’m not really all that concerned I’ll let it drop) ---
**Author:** ![SnakeSpirit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snakespirit/32/7271_2.png) [@SnakeSpirit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakeSpirit)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912/19 "2004-10-01T20:45:01Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Holy whoosh Batman! If I didn’t know better, I’d have thought SnakeSpirit was \*trying \* to not get the sarcasm dripping from Lib’s post. Good thing you know better. ---
**Author:** ![SnakeSpirit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snakespirit/32/7271_2.png) [@SnakeSpirit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakeSpirit)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912/20 "2004-10-01T20:52:41Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > No need to be a prick about it, ya prick. You claimed that firearms were banned in DC and I asked for a cite on that (a cite which, by the by, indicates that your assertion is false). Next time try backing up your OP, ya know, _in your OP_ and then people won’t have to ask for cites. > > Prick. > > (of course I’d still rather see a cite from some source other than a GOP flack site that yammers about “restoring Second Amendment rights” but since I’m not really all that concerned I’ll let it drop) Hey, asshole, this is the BBQ pit, right? That’s why you can call me prick and I can call you asshole and we can both get away with it. **Lord Ashtar’s** reference was to the law itself! That’s a GOP flack site? Why, cause the current pres is a Republican? Plus, this was a rant OP. There’s no requirement that I back up anything. Most educated people know you can’t have a gun in DC; it’s like requiring I post a cite that DC exists! Then go back and read the OP, I was quoting Professor John Lott. Then, get a life. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-exempt-politicians/266912.md?page=2)