Fireworks & Traffic Checkpoints (Full Version)

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MyCatSmokey2006 -> Fireworks & Traffic Checkpoints (7/4/2008 11:10:38 PM)

I've read in the newspaper and the Internet how law enforcement officers in some states that border Missouri set up fireworks checkpoints to stop people from bringing illegal fireworks into their state. From what I understand, they stop each driver, search their car and consficate the fireworks, even those that are legal in that state, then ticket the driver.

I believe that this is unconstitutional search and seizure, in violation of the 4th Amendment. I don't think that law enforcement officials should have the right to pull ANYONE over unless they observe that individual driver committing a traffic violation, thus giving them cause to pull them over. I know that the courts have upheld this type of search, but I still think it's unconstitutional.

I feel the same way about DUI & other traffic checkpoints. I understand the reasons why they're done, but IMHO, they're still unconstitutional. BTW, I don't drink & drive and I don't buy fireworks, so if I would end up in a traffic checkpoint situation, I'd have nothing to worry about.

What is your opinion on this?



karlie -> RE: Fireworks & Traffic Checkpoints (7/4/2008 11:18:38 PM)

I don't have a problem with it. I've never touched a drink in my life, and I still have to stop at all the DUI checkpoints around here. Is it a hassle? Yes. But I don't blame law enforcement...I blame the irresponsible drivers that make it necessary to go so far to ensure our safety.

Same with illegal fireworks. Here, they bring them in from Mexico and nearby states all the time. Four years ago close friends had their house half burned because neighbors behind them somehow managed to get illegal fireworks past the state border and caught their roof on fire. Had they been stopped at the boarder, that never would have happened.

Again, I don't hold law enforcement or the courts responsible...but the idiots who make such measures necessary. I personally would rather give up a few freedoms and have my family as safe as possible from those kinds of people. Their safety is worth it to me.



MyCatSmokey2006 -> RE: Fireworks & Traffic Checkpoints (7/4/2008 11:26:58 PM)

I agree with you on wanting to keep our families safe I just have a problem with giving up more and more of my constitutional freedoms just because government officials want to protect us from A FEW individuals who break the law.



relady -> RE: Fireworks & Traffic Checkpoints (7/5/2008 10:21:18 AM)

What a novel way for the cops to get free fireworks for themselves. [&:] BTW, do you know where in Missouri this is happening? Because many fireworks are legal in many Missouri counties. And in others the ordinances against them are only very mildy enforced.



rcjames -> RE: Fireworks & Traffic Checkpoints (7/5/2008 10:31:51 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MyCatSmokey2006
I feel the same way about DUI & other traffic checkpoints. What is your opinion on this?


Being that driving is a priveledge and not a right might have some bearing on the constitutionality of a DUI / drivers liscense / insurance checkpoint.

Thsnks
RC



karlie -> RE: Fireworks & Traffic Checkpoints (7/5/2008 10:57:09 AM)

quote:

just because government officials want to protect us from A FEW individuals who break the law.

I don't think it's just a "few" breaking those laws. Have you seen the statistics on people killed or seriously injured by drink drivers? In my state, it's very high. Definitely more than a few irresponsible drivers drinking and driving. I'm more than happy to wait my turn in the DUI checkpoint if it will get even one drunk off the road that night.

I'm also thinking since driving isn't a right guaranteed us by the constitution, it can't be expected to be protected as such.



MyCatSmokey2006 -> RE: Fireworks & Traffic Checkpoints (7/5/2008 10:09:49 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: relady

What a novel way for the cops to get free fireworks for themselves. [&:] BTW, do you know where in Missouri this is happening? Because many fireworks are legal in many Missouri counties. And in others the ordinances against them are only very mildy enforced.


I've read that states like Nebraska and Iowa set up these type of checkpoints. The law enforcement officials in those states ticket drivers who try to bring fireworks from Missouri, even those that are legal in those two states. I don't know about other states bordering Missouri, I'm just guessing that they probably do the same thing.



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