Pubdate: Sat, 22 Mar 2003
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA)
Copyright: 2003 Richmond Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www.timesdispatch.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/365
Author: Leonard T. Harris

DON'T HASSLE THOSE WITH DRUGS OR GUNS

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

The article, "Courthouse Contraband," indicates what is wrong with our 
society. We seem to have a need to make everyone a criminal whether he has 
harmed anyone or not. Our public servants are suspicious and condescending 
to the ordinary citizen.

We need to take a more libertarian approach. We should not make people 
criminals until they have harmed another. Also, our public servants need to 
be respectful to the ordinary citizen.

So a person comes into the courthouse with bags of cocaine and marijuana. 
Whom is he harming? Why should his life now be ruined and forever stained 
with a criminal record?

The answer: He harmed no one and there is no good reason to make him a 
criminal.

For the people carrying weapons (from fingernail clippers to handguns and 
everything in between), the same holds true. Until they actually threaten 
someone with the weapon, there is no reason to take it.

Making all of these items contraband is nothing more than governmental 
arrogance. The people in the courthouse are our servants and they should 
not harass us by searching us. There are plenty of police in the 
courthouse, and they can certainty subdue someone who becomes violent. They 
should leave the rest of us alone.

Leonard T. Harris

Glen Allen 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake