# Police confiscating legally registered firearms in NO **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 8, 2005, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743 "2005-09-08T23:59:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743/21 "2005-09-09T01:47:28Z")
I can’t think of a place or time that I would want my legal firearm more. If I were a thug, I’d just follow the authorities around at a distance. Then at least I could know who I could rape, rob, and pillage with reckless abondon, since they’d be unarmed. As a responsible citizen, I wouldn’t fight to keep the arms when ordered, but I certainly reserve the right to feel that it’s fucked up. [-NC](http://www.sickslug.com/guns.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743/22 "2005-09-09T01:49:13Z")
I’m pretty pro-Second Amendment, as my posting history should demonstrate. But this looks to be on the up and up. I looked at the Louisiana Code, and it explicitly gives governors and mayors the power to ban the sale, distribution, or transport of firearms during an emergency. Sucks, I know. It could be worse, though - the same law applies to beer. ---
**Author:** ![fushj00mang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d26b3c/32.png) [@fushj00mang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fushj00mang)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743/23 "2005-09-09T02:15:07Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > That’s the [outfit that lost 4 in Fallujah](http://www.sandline.com/hotlinks/CNN-Blackwater.html). Are they really operating in New Orleans now? They’re also at the Savannah River Site (nuclear waste,) Griffis & Myrtle Beach AFB’s (both decomissioned,) and if you had the cash and inclination, your bedroom (but only in a strictly professional way.) There are a few other security firms, such as Wackenhut (who guards Los Alamos,) and SC Security Management, INC (who augment the guard force at Shaw AFB in SC when 20th SF is deployed) in New Orleans as well. As far as Snakescatlady’s comment, Blackwater Security is one of the US’s largest and most respected security firms. 90% or more of their staff were in the Armed Forces or in Federal/State/Local law enforcement at one point or another. The FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team goes to Blackwater’s training facilities three or four times a year to drill their tactics, and 1st Special Forces, Detachemnt Delta (aka, Delta Force) routinely train under Blackwater instructors. I’d perfer them to be doing law enforcement than the NOPD at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743/24 "2005-09-09T02:47:19Z")
> [@The Tooth](#): > > The troubadours have already won. You spoony bard! ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743/25 "2005-09-09T03:00:50Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > I don’t care what kind of badges they’re wearing or what color their hats are… I’d defend myself against _anyone_ trying to take my guns. > > Just doing their jobs? Hmmm, where have I heard that one before… :rolleyes: That’s right scooter. The hurricane has given the jack booted liberal thugs the chance to finally beging siezing the weapons of decent, law abiding citizens like yourself. :rolleyes: Someone call Chuck Heston. I would have agreed with you, but since you seem to want to shoot the police and soldiers that would be doing their job and trying to keep you safe in a very difficult time, fuck off. Take a deep breath because you sound like a raving paranoid psychotic. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743/26 "2005-09-09T03:23:48Z")
> [@Mr. Moto](#): > > Sucks, I know. It could be worse, though - the same law applies to beer. _Noooooooooooo!_ Beer will get you through periods of no guns better than guns will get you through periods of no beer. ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743/27 "2005-09-09T03:27:58Z")
I wasn’t arguing the credentials of any security company - I don’t know enough about it to put up a decent argument. It just seems rather unfair to take registered guns away from people who have them legally, leaving them with no means of defense, while allowing people who can afford to hire guards with armed guards. I don’t know if the armed guards are from a well-trained and -respected company or if they’re Hells Angels. I’m glad I’m not in New Orleans. I still have my wonderful memories of it, though. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743/28 "2005-09-09T03:28:39Z")
> [@Mr. Moto](#): > > I looked at the Louisiana Code, and it explicitly gives governors and mayors the power to ban the sale, distribution, or transport of firearms during an emergency. Does it say anything about ownership? ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743/29 "2005-09-09T03:37:57Z")
> [@AFAIKnow](#): > > That’s a misnomer spread with the help of the media and scaremongering pols. Martial law is rule by military. Right now the SoE gives the governor extra powers and she tells the military what to do. The Governor also has the responsibility of calling in the National Guard. But it’s somehow Bush’s fault they weren’t. It’s almost surreal the sniping happening about people still dying. You know, the energy being expending blaming everyone while people are still dying is really telling about the state of American politics. _Tornado victim_ My house is gone and my dog is dead _Partisans_ It’s because of global warming! No it’s not! _Tornado victim_ My dog is still dead asshole! ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743/30 "2005-09-09T04:08:17Z")
If I felt the need or motivation to stay at home, yer damned straight I’d have my legal sidearm on my side. If I felt the motivation to stay at home, and you “implored” me under “forced evacuations” to leave home, I’d say “Have a nice day!” and close the door. It would be the same if it were a nice, peaceful, sunny day in Great Falls, MT, and you’d ask me to leave under “forced evacuations”. Now if you came through the door forcefully, you and I would have some heated words. I think the key here is that people are voluntarily handing over their legal/known firearms. There’s no way in hell I’d broadcast to anyone that I had an extra sidearm under 4 feet of water. I’d wait for the tides to ebb and go back for it later. The cops don’t need those guns. They don’t have enough people to handle them in a firefight as it is. Tripler **Crafter\_Man** , I’m with you on this one. ---
**Author:** ![AFAIKnow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a6a055/32.png) [@AFAIKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AFAIKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743/31 "2005-09-09T04:08:20Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > The governor is the Commander of the National Guard at least until it is nationalized. But a state governor has no authority over Federal troops, emergency or no emergency. A govenor may request action which will probably be respected but has no power to give orders to Federal Troops. The NG is still military. And the federal troops cannot participate in law enforcement anywho, only the NG can. So whats your point? ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743/32 "2005-09-09T04:10:48Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > thugs are luteing (SP?) the fucking city Jayzuz! If it’s gotten that bad, then martial law is needed. Next thing you know, chamber ensembles will be springing up and you’ll have Mozart in the streets! That would be too much to Handel. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743/33 "2005-09-09T04:20:13Z")
Please spare us the Liszt of your complaints. Just Bach away. ---
**Author:** ![Orbifold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orbifold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orbifold)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743/34 "2005-09-09T04:31:54Z")
So New Orleans homeowners can’t have firearms to protect their property from looters, vandals, or whatnot…_unless_ they have the money to pay a firm like Blackwater. Isn’t that just peachy. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743/35 "2005-09-09T04:32:51Z")
It’s entirely unclear to me from the linked article if it means that the police (not soldiers, BTW) are confiscating firearms from people carrying them promiscuously, or from people merely possessing them in their homes. Depending on the open carry/CCW status of New Orleans under the best circumstances, this could change the spin of the article entirely. Of course given that the police showed they were entirely ineffective in protecting people from the looters, and given that they admit themselves in the linked article that they’re not having any real problems now, this sudden focus on gathering guns _ex post facto_ when there reputedly isn’t a current problem is somewhat suspect - or just of limited effectiveness and a poor use of effort. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743/36 "2005-09-09T04:32:54Z")
> [@Snakescatlady](#): > > I wasn’t arguing the credentials of any security company - I don’t know enough about it to put up a decent argument. It just seems rather unfair to take registered guns away from people who have them legally, leaving them with no means of defense, while allowing people who can afford to hire guards with armed guards. I don’t know if the armed guards are from a well-trained and -respected company or if they’re Hells Angels. > > I’m glad I’m not in New Orleans. I still have my wonderful memories of it, though. Yet some vocal anti-gun celebrities enjoy this same double standard: You shouldn’t have guns, but our body guards are packing. It’s OK to them, their life is worth more than yours. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743/37 "2005-09-09T04:42:49Z")
You should always have at least one unregistered gun. ---
**Author:** ![Orbifold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orbifold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orbifold)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743/38 "2005-09-09T04:45:28Z")
Oh good heavens, I just read the rest of the article. Including the part about those $2000 debit cards: > [@](#): > > But this afternoon, FEMA announced that it no longer planned to issue the cards. An agency spokesman, David G. Passey, said that he did not know why the program was scrapped but that now “we believe that our normal methods of delivery - checks and electronic funds transfer - will suffice.” Probably the first thing FEMA did that everyone agreed was innovative and useful, so naturally they stopped. “Electronic funds transfer”? I hope all those evacuees remembered to write down their account number before they fled. ---
**Author:** ![fushj00mang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d26b3c/32.png) [@fushj00mang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fushj00mang)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743/39 "2005-09-09T04:49:05Z")
> [@GusNSpot](#): > > You should always have at least one unregistered gun. Preferably one with a belt feed. _looks around the room_ What?! ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743/40 "2005-09-09T04:50:44Z")
I have a lot of respect for you CM, but honestly you’re acting like a petulant child in this scenario. Allowances have to be made for genuine emergencies, and I think this ranks in any rational person’s book as “A GENUINE EMERGENCY”. There’s no reason anyone being evacuated needs a gun and lots of good reasons why authorities would wish to remove (even legally registered) guns from the hands of upset people who do not want to be removed. If you are planning on refusing to leave and are counting on your weapon to defend that right regardless of circumstance, you have gone from petulant to insanely irresponsible and are recklessly endangering the lives of people who are trying to help. You’re coming across like a hysterical baby and are conforming to anti-guns advocates worst caricatures of emotionally unstable, immature gun owners. This is a serious emergency. Stop it with the bad form and shape up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-confiscating-legally-registered-firearms-in-no/320743.md?page=3)