Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader B.G. sent in the link to a Washington Post article detailing that the Justice Department just shut down a huge asset forfeiture program. It’s important to note that this is just a small part of the whole “asset forfeiture” system. States can still use state forfeiture rules, and it does not address seizures by federal agencies, like the FBI, DEA, or DHS. It’s ironic that an individual confiscating your property under the same rules would end up in jail for theft. I guess stealing is deemed okay, when you’re a government.

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The Anti Safe Act Organization is suing the US Attorney General for exceeding their authority on background checks. The issue stems from the Justice Department cross checking against lists that do not preclude ownership of firearms. Specifically, if you ended up on a watch list for potential terrorist because of an anonymous tip, you were potentially denied your right to own a firearm without due process.

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Many readers have written in to point out H.R.4269, which has been introduced into the 114th Congress and basically outlaws all semi-automatic weapons. It’s important to remember that every Congress gets such bills introduced and the likelihood of this bill getting anywhere is pretty slim. Nevertheless, we will be watching.

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Reader M.F. sent the link to this article: Thomas Jefferson on taxes. It’s an interesting read on how the U.S. government managed to not directly tax individuals for the first 140 years of this nation.

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Measles Police State: ‘Parents who do not vaccinate their children should go to jail’ – D.S.