# Most blatant COVID-19 related government overreach in the US so far **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 10, 2020, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519 "2020-04-10T18:02:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2020, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519/101 "2020-04-17T18:07:45Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > **Moderator Note** > > Keep political potshots out of this forum. No warning issued, but don’t do this again. > > Colibri > Quarantine Zone Moderator Someone else started it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**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:** [April 17, 2020, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519/102 "2020-04-17T18:13:14Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > . At no time was choice allowed and I guess 14 year olds can get away with buying liquor now due to the threat of the pandemic, but two weeks ago it was better to let disease spread than allow 14 years old to buy liquor. Oh, come on. Do you expect anyone to take your point here seriously? ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2020, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519/103 "2020-04-17T18:19:45Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Oh, come on. Do you expect anyone to take your point here seriously? Okay, 14 years old was a little much, but two weeks ago restricting access based upon age was so important that people could not voluntarily wear masks even with the health concerns. Today, the health concerns are so important that people cannot choose NOT to wear masks even if it lets some (again, not 14) underaged people buy booze. Where was the middle ground where the mask restriction was lifted? ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2020, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519/104 "2020-04-17T20:38:31Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > I’m generally a big fan of the constitution; but I am personally having a bit of a hard time thinking if gun shops are essential. If we treat the first amendment and the second amendment equally, I would say gun shops are just as essential as newspapers (note I’m not saying internet news sources…just newspapers). First Amendment guarantees FREEDOM (its only occurrence in the Constitution) of speech and the press. Internet news sources emit “speech” so they’re covered. Yes, speech has repercussions and limits. Some don’t take kindly to insults. :eek: Second Amendment, authorizing a well-regulated militia for national security, grants citizens the right to bear arms in that militia. Our standing military renders the 2nd obsolete. And it doesn’t say WHICH arms. Laws limit personal possession of much weaponry - spring switchblades and stilettos, Claymore mines, nukes, poison darts. > [@](#): > > But I really am having a hard time saying we need to have gun shops open at this time… Are archery shops open? Bows & arrows are arms, too. So are squirtguns if loaded with gasoline. Is that legal? Anyway, sellers of knives, swords, clubs, tasers, mace, bear repellent, slingshots, and armed aerial drones are just as essential, right? But of COURSE firearm sales are essential! Shoot them viroids! Shoot bacteria, too! It’s them or us! But when they kill us, they eat us. That should be a requirement for people, too. Kill what you eat. Eat what you kill. It’s only right. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2020, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519/105 "2020-04-17T20:53:58Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > Yes, most farmers will have a gun to shoot a dying animal, or dogs chasing livestock, or crows in the cornfield. But they already have them if they use them at all. The only reason to get all enraged over closing gunshops is \*\*\*OUR SECOND AMENDMENTS RIGHTS!!! > > * * * > > Which is to say, only that part of the US which is violentcrazystupid is disturbed by such an edict. Of course that’s at least a quarter. I know you enjoy building up and attacking strawmen so much you had to break it up over two posts but the obvious answer you never even thought to consider is buying ammo. A lot of people only keep a few boxes of ammo at most, and in states like California where the only place you can legally buy ammo is a gun shop (selling or even giving ammo to a friend is actually illegal) if you shut down a gun shop you now no longer have access to ammo for your gun. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2020, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519/106 "2020-04-17T22:53:15Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > … > > Towns in New York and New Jersey banning leaf blowers because they are getting on people’s nerves: > > [DNyuz – Latest Breaking News, U.S. and World Politics, Crime, Business, Science, Technology, Autos, Entertainment, Culture, Movie, Music, Sports.](https://dnyuz.com/2020/04/09/meanwhile-in-the-suburbs-leaf-blower-drama/) > > California sheriff threatens to arrest and fine $1000 for not wearing a face mask: > > [California sheriff warns he can arrest and fine people $1,000 for not wearing masks in public](https://www.the-sun.com/news/654495/california-sheriff-warns-fines-arrests/)… 1. Leafblowers do nothing but damage peoples hearing and the environment. I think they shoudl be banned everywhere, at all times. 2. No, he did not. Read your own cite. He just told people what the law was. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2020, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519/107 "2020-04-17T22:57:40Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > If anyone ever needs a handgun, and they haven’t purchased one in the prior whatever years of their life since they were 21, their next option is to call the police… not take a drive down to the gun store and tell the assailant to hang on a few hours. > … The police will not protect you. That is not their job. If you have a abusive ex that has now found you and you fear for your life- the police will do nothing to protect you. They will arrest the guy afterwards. So there are quite a few instances where you might think you are in danger- not **RIGHT NOW** but soon. Death threats for example. Wife moves into sisters house after abusive spouse beats her. He is now out on bail. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2020, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519/108 "2020-04-17T23:01:55Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > I’ve wondered how these rules and laws can ultimately pass muster with the first amendment with the right to peaceably assemble. > … You do have that right. But they can demand you get a permit for a demonstration. Or put in a “free speech zone” or other reasonable infringements. No right is absolute. You cant own kiddy porn. You cant spread nude pictures of people on the internet without their permission. You cant violate copyright. You cant own a atomic bomb or a machine gun or a howitzer. You can’t take your gun into a designated school zone. Etc. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2020, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519/109 "2020-04-17T23:09:43Z")
> [@MEBuckner](#): > > … > Also, restrictions on public gatherings that are genuinely motivated by attempts to stop the spread of the virus–and _only_ to stop the spread of the virus–might warrant restrictions on gun shops–along with everything else–though there might be ways to accommodate people’s needs and desires short of closing down gun ships completely, like rules restricting (even sharply restricting) the number of customers who can be in the store at any moment. That could make gun purchases inconvenient and even difficult, especially if general demand is spiking, but at least it’s not making them impossible. > > But as **Asuka** alluded to, at least some of the desire to close down gun shops seems to be motivated by agendas unrelated to the need to combat the pandemic. (As are, of course, many if not most of the restrictions on abortion clinics.) From the _Slate_ article [“Why Some Democratic Governors Are Avoiding Closing Gun Stores During the Pandemic”](https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/04/constitutional-closing-gun-stores-coronavirus.html) from a few days ago:…". Yeah, in Los Angeles that order to close gun stores was blatantly political. Mind you, I worked in a sporting good store that sold fishing tackle and guns. The gun counter was never crowded. Easy to maintain social distancing. The customers had to stand on the other side of a counter, well away from the clerk and the guns. Of course, I think people wanting to buy guns _now_, because of _“the apocalypse”_ :eek: are stupid. But if you have a otherwise legit need for one, then you should be able to buy one. Keeping social distancing, etc. And if the PD said “No more than X number of people in the store at a time” that would be very reasonable. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2020, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519/110 "2020-04-17T23:14:04Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2020, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519/111 "2020-04-17T23:15:19Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > They already have 'em. Don’t most departments have stock to issue to new officers or replacements? No. Some do, but most require you buy your own. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2020, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519/112 "2020-04-17T23:34:11Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > {…} You cant own {…} a machine gun {…} For definitions of; ‘you’, ‘own’, and ‘machine gun’ that include the private ownership of machine guns. YouTube gun Jesus isn’t lying about the transferable, fully automatic, guns being regularly sold at auction. CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2020, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519/113 "2020-04-17T23:38:56Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Oh, come on. Do you expect anyone to take your point here seriously? I do…since his point was that we live in crazy times and no one really seems to know what they are doing. Kind of like the DMV but nationwide. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2020, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519/114 "2020-04-17T23:43:58Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > A lot of people only keep a few boxes of ammo at most, and in states like California where the only place you can legally buy ammo is a gun shop (selling or even giving ammo to a friend is actually illegal) if you shut down a gun shop you now no longer have access to ammo for your gun. Not that the stock of some of the most popular ammunition types is less cleaned out than that of toilet paper and sanitizer over the last three weeks… but yes, that is an issue if you already are not allowed to get it some other way. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2020, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519/115 "2020-04-17T23:49:14Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > For definitions of; ‘you’, ‘own’, and ‘machine gun’ that include the private ownership of machine guns. > YouTube gun Jesus isn’t lying about the transferable, fully automatic, guns being regularly sold at auction. > > CMC fnord! It is possible, in some states- but not CA\*- and only after a special federal registration. And due to the Firearm Owners’ Protection Act of 1986, which basically OUTLAWED any sale, to any civilian, of _new_ automatic weapons. No license, no tax stamp, no nothing. Just BANNED new automatic firearms to civilians. - nor in Washington, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, New York, Rhode Island, and Delaware. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2020, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519/116 "2020-04-18T12:37:47Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > Two weeks ago there was a sign on the door stating that no masks could be worn in the store because state law required them to verify the age of all purchasers and even with ID they could not do that with part of the face covered. > > Today there was a different sign mandating that masks be worn pursuant to Gov. Hogan’s order requiring face masks in all public stores still open. (Although it noted that the policy was not effective until tomorrow 4/18). That’s awesome!! That’s the model around which science works as well. With new information we respond by modifying what we’re doing. This _novel_ Coronavirus is not something we have experience with. I expect to see even more changes each time our understanding improves. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2020, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519/117 "2020-04-18T20:35:43Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > How about a link to [an actual story with details.?](https://abcnews.go.com/US/police-officer-arrested-park-throwing-ball-daughter-due/story?id=70032966) > > So he was violating an order and trespassing. Wait, what? He did no such thing. He simply engaged in his First Amendment right (we still have the free speech part of it in effect, right?) to question the officers’ actions. He didn’t pull a gun or throw a punch or try to run away. He was fully within his rights to remonstrate with the officers about what they were doing. > [@Houston v. Hill](#): > > The freedom of individuals verbally to oppose or challenge police action without thereby risking arrest is one of the principal characteristics by which we distinguish a free nation from a police state. When he did that, they got all Barney Fifey and demanded his identification and threatened him with being arrested if he refused to provide it, something that they have no right to do under any circumstances. Notice that others were in the park and they were allowed to leave. This guy got arrested for contempt of cop, and the police department apologized for what happened. ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519/118 "2020-04-20T00:35:58Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > 1. Leafblowers do nothing but damage peoples hearing and the environment. I think they shoudl be banned everywhere, at all times. > > 2. No, he did not. Read your own cite. He just told people what the law was. Actually it does appear a resident got hit with the $1000 fine, but ironically I’m on the governments side on this one. A Los Angeles area paddleboarder or surfer was asked to get out of the water by lifeguards because the beach was closed. He stayed out there and a half hour later the police came out by boat, got him out and fined him $1000. Sorry not only did you not listen, but put the cops at risk. The $1000 fine is more than fair. ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519/119 "2020-04-20T22:45:01Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > I need a fucking hair cut! I live in a county that is up to a whopping 6 confirmed positives for covid-19, none have died or even spent time in the hospital. I will park outside and give you my phone number. Send me a text when my turn comes. I am not going to get sick because the barber touched my hair. > > It feels to me like the Ms Grundys of the world finally have the power to regulate our behavior and are abusing it. I go to work 40 hours a week still. I go to the mini mart, the grocery store, Home Depot, auto parts store, fishing supply store. But I can’t go get a fucking hair cut. An Italian mayor was talking about residents who were breaking quarantine to get their hair done, and pointed out that it didn’t matter what your hair looked like, as your funeral was going to be closed casket anyway. You don’t NEED a fucking hair cut, you WANT a fucking hair cut. Your desire to look pretty doesn’t entitle you to risk others’ health. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2020, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519/120 "2020-04-21T01:42:37Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > I need a fucking hair cut! Why? Do you have a lice infestation? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-covid-19-related-government-overreach-in-the-us-so-far/851519.md?page=7)