I don't think it's a good idea to restrict Constitutional rights based on a government watch list [View all]

[davidn3600]

That can lead to a nasty slippery slope.

What happens if you say you got Billy Bob here who hates America and flies the Confederate flag. But he doesn't make any violent threats to anyone? He keeps to himself. Should that person be on a watch list and be prohibited from buying guns? Why? Because he's exercising his first amendment right to free speech and to disagree with the government?

What happens in the future a Republican get elected president and starts throwing all Muslims on these "terror lists" so they won't buy any guns? Or heck....restrict other rights from them?

My issue is that the FBI runs these lists, with no oversight. They don't publish who is on it or why they are on it or how to get off it. This can very easily turn into a tool to punish political opponents and can go well beyond guns. If the 2nd amendment can be restricted by a government list, what other amendments can be restricted?

Ultimately, even if a miracle happens and Democrats get this idea passed...the courts will strike it dead. Because it would violate the 5th amendment. People have a right to due process. You cannot restrict the Bill of Rights to someone who has committed no crime.