Need Some Advise

P

Pthfndr

New member
As most of you know, there is a planned demonstration at the CA DOJ hearings on assault weapons. There has been a lot of positive response to this. It was brought up that it would be a good idea to check into whether or not we would need some kind of permit. So I did. Being that the location is a state building, the California Highway Patrol is the agency that would issue a permit. Form 398: Permit for Activity on State Property. The officer in charge of this was receptive and very helpful. But there are some issues. The permit is supposed to include the approximate number of people. At the location of the hearings he said they would probably not issue a permit for more than 50 - 100 people. Monitors must be provided ( by the protestors ) at a 1:50 ratio, and must be identified in a way easily identifiable to the CHP. And last, whoever signs the request for the permit could be held financially liable for any property damages ( gulp ). I was told that we could get a permit for the north side of the capitol building for 300 + people. 2 blocks from the site of the hearings.

I would like to get opinions or suggestions on what to do. If we demonstrate with or with out a permit and the people that work at the Resources Building complain about us blocking access or hindering them, then the CHP will ask us to leave and could, if we don't, arrest people on a misdemeanor charge. I certainly don't have the financial resources to pay for any damage. Not that I think we gun owners would do any, but I could see an outside element starting something we would be held responsible for. Do we get a permit? Should we get one for both the hearings and the capitol? Do we say screw it and just show up and do our thing ( exercise our 1st amendment right ). Taking part in a demonstration, much less trying to help organize one is new for me and I would really appreciate some input here.

There has been such good response to this, and after the good turnout they had in CO at the governor's mansion I hate to blow this opportunity.
 
A protesting permit?
Gads!
You need to have a permit to have a gathering?
You need a permit to protest the Government?

Here is my advise, and I am serious about it:
Move out of California.

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I mean, if I went around saying I was an Emperor because some
moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, people would put me away!

[This message has been edited by George Hill (edited February 09, 2000).]
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.[/quote]
Somehow,somewhere,someway it was decided that this didn't pertain to anything but the media anymore. It's fine and dandy to burn a flag as a freedom of expression. It's OK to open an art exhibit with pictures of objects inserted into a rectum as freedom of speech.

But, 2, 3 or more, gathered peaceably, are considered criminals. What a sorry state of affairs.

Lamentations over the loss of rights will not help solve the problem though. I would suggest getting in touch with GOA or the NRA to see if they can be of help. Civil laws can be a twisted mess, and there may be some part that allows a Corporation to secure the permit, and relieve the individuals involved of any liability.

[This message has been edited by RAE (edited February 09, 2000).]
 
:mad: I would have to second George's opinion on this one. Or if you don't want to move then I would just say to hell with the permit. ::runs away grumbling to everyone that keeps telling me 'it can't happen here'::

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"Freedom has always existed in a very percurious balance. And when buildings stop blowing up, people’s priorities tend to change..." Enemy of the State
 
RAE
Thank you for posting that. It gave me the lift I needed. Maybe I have been in CA too long, but I am not ready to leave. In fact, to paraphrase from another great patriot, I have just begun to fight!
 
They are making a valid distinction between state property and public property. The question is whether that distinction applies to a gathering in a public area.

Actually, most states and cities require permits for demonstrations, if for no other reason than the obstruction of normal traffic.

The personal liability issue is one reason why organizations should sponsor such action. The state association has deeper pockets and more influence than any group of individuals.

There is also the tendency to require permits for some (non-PC) groups and not others. If there is evidence of this, you can take it to court.

One way might be to have a member of your group not known to the police, ask about demonstrating for more gun bans. If he or she is told there is no permit needed for demonstrating in favor of the governor's gang, you have a court case.

In fact, mass demonstrations rarely are effective and if few people show up can be simply ridiculed. It is usually better for a few personable individuals to testify before the committee with carefully reasoned arguments (no rants). A witness can simply say that he or she represents the XYZ Sport Club. Let the law-makers guess how many voters that represents.

Be careful with demonstrations, anyway. A demonstration by a pro-gun faction may be seen by some law-makers as a threat by an "armed mob" (even though you won't have guns) and be counter-productive. Let the state association and the NRA work behind the scenes, and contact your representatives by letter or in person.

Jim
 
I'm incliined to agree with RAE on this.
Let me ask a question here...

During the Hollywood glitzing ceremonies, does everyone there have to sign a permit to gather and hoop & holler at the "stars"?

How about the press releases during trouble spots that occur in Kali? Do the reporters have to sign a waiver, or consenting form to attend?

This is pure nonsense, and it's part of the sure erosion of our rights, one small chip at a time..


That said, I'm gonna go hurl.........


Best Regards,
Don

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The most foolish mistake we could make would be to allow the subjected people to carry arms; history shows that all conquerers who have allowed their subjected people to carry arms have prepared their own fall.
Adolf Hitler
 
Pthfndr, I'm not a legal scholar at all but it seems to be perfectly legal for any one person to assmeble, correct?

Well then you're not really having a "group" gathering are you? You really just happened to show up at the same place that many other individuals did.


Don't have your folks give a group name. Tell the "law" (can't keep a straight face as I type that word!) that you're just there because you heard about it.

No permit, just go. It's STILL a free country. BE SURE TO HAVE PLENTY OF VIDEO CAMERAS as well as "runners" to hurry away these tapes in case any confiscation begins. Cover your bases.

Good luck.

CMOS

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GOA, TSRA, LEAA, NRA, SAF and I vote!
 
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