by oldedude on December 16, 2022 1:53 pm
Donna,
I do understand your concern. Although TDPS may have a legit reason for doing this, The question of a slippery slope is there. And to be singled out, is also of concern.
Here's the thing. For a few decades now, legal gun owners have been targeted in the same manner.
Items that are common with both groups. Why is a state requesting that data? Neither group has a higher rate of violent criminal behavior. As a matter of fact, I might argue both groups may have a lower rate of violent crime than the average citizen. The states know both groups have data that could give them the information but cannot access that information by law.
In the case of rightful gun ownership. It is assured by the 2nd Amendment of the constitution which says "...shall NOT be infringed." Trans people have HIPAA laws. Several politicians and folks on this site (curt, indy for sure) support the Australian gun laws which threaten citizens with warrantless entry because of "suspicion" which is illegal by law (there needs to be articulable facts). I'm going to go out on a limb here to say that both can be used by a government for nefarious purposes.
I keep asking folks here, what would happen if this were reversed? To wit, most of the time, its a scoff or mock on disbelief. This is the danger. The government found out it could work with gun ownership. uh oh...... crap! this makes it easy to turn it around.
So while I don't believe there is anything to this, I would be asking for clarification and exactly what they are doing with the information. My guess is this is going to the courts, as well it should. I'm taking a breath and watching. I don't have the ability to change it, so I'll watch it play out with interest. I do trust that you'll stay on top of it, so let us know.
by Donna on December 16, 2022 4:39 pm
Thank you for your thoughtful response, od. I'd like to point out, though, that the difference between trans people and gun owners is that we're being singled out for who we are.
by oldedude on December 16, 2022 5:42 pm
That's kind of the point. That's the single reason gun owners are harassed. I understand what you're saying, but there are politicians on every level of governments that are gunning for us in many states, along with many that accept the lies told by the antigun lobby. It not just two or three states. pedojoe has been on the forefront, as are governors in CA, CO, WA, OR, NM, MA, IL, and several more, mayors, city councils, county politicians, education departments, etcetcetc. It's not just one state.
