Friday, September 3, 2010

Feds Sue Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio

The Feds are suing an Arizona Sheriff:
The Justice Department sued the nation's self-proclaimed "toughest sheriff" on Thursday, calling Joe Arpaio's defiance of an investigation into his office's alleged discrimination against Hispanics "unprecedented."
Arpaio said he provided "hundreds of thousands" of reports but hasn't turned over others because the department's request was too broad.

Looking into the issue further, this is not about being a tough Sheriff and enforcing the laws. This is about Sheriff Arpaio signing a contract with the Feds to get money. About 5% of Sheriff Arpaio's budget comes from the Feds through a contract with strings attached. The contract says the Sheriff must provide information.

Last year, the nearly $113 million that Maricopa County received from the federal government accounted for about 5 percent of the county's $2 billion budget. The lawsuit listed $16.5 million of funding provided Arpaio's office through several programs.

If Sheriff Arpaio wants to stand up to the Feds, he will their money and the contract that goes with the money.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

State Authority To Regulate Firearms

In Alaska, a bill was signed into law to exempt firearms from federal regulation:
An Act declaring that certain firearms and accessories are exempt from federal regulation.

State are exercising their sovereignty through the 10th amendment. This sets up a showdown with the federal government, which wants to control and regulate everything, everywhere, all of the time.

Article 5. Alaska Firearms Freedom Act.
Sec. 44.99.500. State policy, declarations, and requirements concerning certain firearms not in interstate commerce and not subject to federal regulation.
(a) A personal firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition that is manufactured commercially or privately in this state and that remains in the state is not subject to federal law or federal regulation, including registration, under the authority of the United States Congress to regulate interstate commerce as those items have not traveled in interstate commerce.