# Sovereign Citizens-- Please tell me this is fake **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 24, 2016, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572 "2016-10-24T07:38:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 54
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2024, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1061 "2024-08-01T16:47:50Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > And the Second Amendment (the only part of the Constitution most SovCits recognize) allows them to have Surface to Air Missiles, amirite? - I have heard cops ask if they have any Tomahawk missiles. ---
**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:** [August 1, 2024, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1062 "2024-08-01T16:57:20Z")
It’s, IMHO, a trick question. If you don’t announce that you have a pocket knife then the cop gets to get pissy with you and charge you with. If do tell them about your knife, in answer to that carefully worded sentence, then you’re admitting that your knife is a weapon. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2024, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1063 "2024-08-01T17:01:37Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > It’s, IMHO, a trick question. If you don’t announce that you have a pocket knife then the cop gets to get pissy with you and charge you with. If do tell them about your knife, in answer to that carefully worded sentence, then you’re admitting that your knife is a weapon. - I would consider a pocket knife worth mentioning. Imagine if a cop pulled over MacGyver and asked him that question. It could take _hours._ ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2024, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1064 "2024-08-01T17:14:39Z")
> Andre **Narcisse** Proof that the universe definitely has a perverse sense of humor. ---
**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:** [August 1, 2024, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1065 "2024-08-01T17:15:02Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I would consider a pocket knife worth mentioning. My standard answer is "No, no weapons, but I do have _list_. The real fun one was when the NJ State trooper didn’t ask and went right to the Terry frisk and didn’t search my strong side, I’m left handed. Which left me pondering whether I should alert him to the fact that he screwed up his frisk and missed the ASP style baton tucked into my waistband or just keep my mouth shut. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2024, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1066 "2024-08-01T17:25:20Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Imagine if a cop pulled over MacGyver and asked him that question. It could take _hours._ Forget MacGyver, what about Barney Fife?! ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2024, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1067 "2024-08-01T19:37:13Z")
Barney should just keep his mouth shut. Chances are the cop won’t find a single bullet. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2024, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1068 "2024-08-01T21:03:26Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > Barney should just keep his mouth shut. Yes, but he will announce to anyone that his hands are registered lethal weapons. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1069 "2024-08-02T00:15:13Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > he identifies as an American State National These ignoratti fail fail to parse the simple fact that there really is such a thing as a United States nationals (aka American nationals). From [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Samoan_citizenship_and_nationality): > Since ratification in 1900, all inhabitants born in American Samoa have been United States nationals and since 1906, when the US Congress passed special provisions, persons born in unincorporated territories can be naturalized in the United States. > [@silenus](#): > > There’s the problem right there. “Released on bond.” > > If one of these loons is going to say the laws don’t apply to them, then they should also not be bondable. Let them rot. While I fully understand the sentiment, the issue here is the judge, unlike the lunatic-in-question, is actually following the law. > [@running\_coach](#): > > > [@Atamasama](#): > > > > “I don’t need a pilot’s license because Pontius Pilate killed Jesus and Jesus died on a cross and **I’m not going to cross the international date line in my travels.** ” - > > That explains why they can’t get a date. Austin Powerless! > [@Stratocaster](#): > > Barney should just keep his mouth shut. Chances are the cop won’t find a single bullet. Deputy Fife just needs to remember, when it comes to weapons and the law, just avoid TCI and he’ll be good. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1070 "2024-08-02T00:25:51Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > These ignoratti fail fail to parse the simple fact that there really is such a thing as a United States nationals (aka American nationals). - The Moors (Moormish, according to one clown) claim to be indigenous people. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1071 "2024-08-02T00:41:49Z")
But don’t fall for it when dealing with the Moops. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1072 "2024-08-02T19:20:31Z")
Bonus points for the _Seinfeld_ reference. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1073 "2024-08-02T21:25:56Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Imagine if a cop pulled over MacGyver and asked him that question. It could take _hours._ “It’s like disarmin’ Germany.” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/rRso9o4TEw8/hqdefault.jpg "Oscar 1991 Sylvester Stallone take the weapon from Bodyguard (Funny)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRso9o4TEw8) ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2024, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1074 "2024-08-10T09:59:45Z")
[This latest YouTube video from Van Balion is hilarious.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x8Tl65rn78) We have a SovCit couple who are not really a couple. We have a SovCit idiot who Van Balion covered before begging to be put in jail and therefore was. We have the same SovCit idiot making false statements to the 9-1-1 operator when he called them. We have the very same SovCit idiot demanding the federal law enforcement agents call the governor of Washington state and also the National Guard. And then we have, and this is the best part, a SovCit woman who, as it turns out, really is not a United States citizen and gets deported. What’s not to like in this entertainment du jour? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1075 "2024-08-30T00:32:57Z")
This is perhaps not literally a SovCit encounter, because I don’t think any of the classical SovCit claims were made, but it’s exactly the same in spirit and in every sense. Florida Man rents a car from Enterprise for two days. In January. When he still hasn’t returned it by March, Enterprise reports it stolen. Police catch up with our hero in a parking lot sitting in this very car. He has quite the litany of excuses for why the cops should go away and leave him alone, centering mainly on how the whole policing and criminal justice system has been corrupt since 2019 and the matter of this particular car is irrelevant. If you’re interested, you can see how this works out for him. If you’re not interested, I’ll just say that I am once again amazed at the patience of these officers – but patience has it limits. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/MEhFC8JUK5A/maxresdefault.jpg "What Happens When You Rent a Car & Never Return") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEhFC8JUK5A) ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1076 "2024-08-30T01:30:16Z")
The Jedi mind trick just doesn’t seem to work any more. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1077 "2024-08-30T01:34:29Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > This is perhaps not literally a SovCit encounter, because I don’t think any of the classical SovCit claims were made, but it’s exactly the same in spirit and in every sense. Florida Man rents a car from Enterprise for two days. In January. When he still hasn’t returned it by March, Enterprise reports it stolen. If you’re going to rent a car and not return it, at least make it something better than a _Toyota Corolla_. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1078 "2024-08-30T17:26:07Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > This is perhaps not literally a SovCit encounter, because I don’t think any of the classical SovCit claims were made, but it’s exactly the same in spirit and in every sense. Well, no, this isn’t the same thing at all. This guy is SPECIFICALLY convinced he’s been oppressed by local authorities. He’s not making a weird legal constitutional argument. This man actually strikes me as being much more emotionally disturbed than the usual sovereign citizen jerk. There are hints of paranoid schizophrenia here. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1079 "2024-08-30T17:31:08Z")
To the extent that there’s a distinction between conspiracy theory crackpots and paranoid schizophrenia, yes. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572/1080 "2024-08-30T18:07:31Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > This is perhaps not literally a SovCit encounter, because I don’t think any of the classical SovCit claims were made, but it’s exactly the same in spirit and in every sense. > > Well, no, this isn’t the same thing at all. This guy is SPECIFICALLY convinced he’s been oppressed by local authorities. He’s not making a weird legal constitutional argument. Well, they’re not **completely** different. Both types are delusional, even if the root cause of the delusion comes from different places on the spectrum of mental health disorders. Both types are so convinced of the righteousness of their position that they frequently want their encounters with authorities to be recorded, believing that this will vindicate them. Both types, consequently, are usually very surprised when they end up in jail. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572.md?page=53) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereign-citizens-please-tell-me-this-is-fake/769572.md?page=55)