Swampsott Selectman Barry Greenfield, a Massachusetts politician, has put forth a proposal to allow local police to enter homes without a warrant in order to inspect whether gun owners are properly storing their firearms.
“We need the ability to enforce the state law,” Greenfield said, according to the Swampscott Patch.
Greenfield is frustrated by the Newtown school shooting and how children have gotten to their parents’ guns from time to time to do evil things. But there is also that pesky constitution. This time, however, it is not the 2nd amendment that presents a problem to taking your freedom, er, I mean keeping you safe.
No, it the fourth amendment this time:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Of course that hasn’t stopped agencies like the NSA. Now, local governments would like to find a work around to this amendment in order to bring firearms in to compliance with local laws.
The town of Swampscott reportedly has about 600 gun owners. Under Massachusetts law, it is “unlawful to store or keep any firearm … in any place unless such weapon is secured in a locked container or equipped with a tamper-resistant mechanical lock or other safety device, properly engaged so as to render such weapon inoperable by any person other than the owner or other lawfully authorized user.”
Greenfield said he spoke with Swampscott Police Chief Ron Madigan about inspecting homes for proper gun storage.
But Selectman Glenn Kessler said there are questions about the constitutionality of the proposal and wants input from law enforcement, legal counsel and town residents. There will likely be a meeting to solicit town input, the Patch reported.
Washington state considered a similar law earlier this year, according to Boston Herald columnist Michael Graham.
Freedom continues to be limited for the greater good. If we are not careful, next Veteran’s day will find us without many rights granted to us by our Creator.
