How would you feel if a government agent came over to your house and informed you, “You stole this car.” When asked what criteria they’re basing that statement on they reply, “That’s classified. But you stole this car, so we’re taking the car.” Outraged, you demand what evidence they have that you stole your own car. The agent refuses but graciously informs you that you can sue the government to get your car back, but it will probably take years and lots of money.

Do you see the problem with this?

If there is enough evidence to determine that someone stole a vehicle, then there needs to be a trial and a conviction. If there is not enough evidence for a trial, then due process dictates that someone does not lose their rights and property until there is a conviction.

Due process protects the innocent

Due process does not mean getting your rights and property returned to you after they have been taken away, due process protects you from losing them in the first place.

The NRA’s proposal, supported by Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, strips away our 2nd Amendment Rights based on the Terrorist Watch List and the No Fly List – secret lists that we cannot even ask the government if we’re on the list. Lists that are so broad and poorly built that you can have the same name as a terrorist and get put on the list. Something that is so convoluted it took this innocent woman 8 years to be removed from the no fly list.

Do you see the problem of having your rights stripped away because you share a name with someone and then take 8 years of legal battles to get your rights back?

If someone shouldn’t own guns – put them in a courtroom

If someone is such a menace to society that they should lose their rights, then they need to be put in a courtroom and convicted of a crime.

If someone can’t be convicted of a crime, they shouldn’t lose their rights. It’s not a difficult concept.