Whilst The Goldwater has been keeping you updated of different instances of looting as hurricane season is upon us, the Governor of the US Virgin Islands took political correctness one step further to the left in calling on the National Guard to seize all firearms of US citizens in order to protect public order as Hurricane Irma approached.
The Governor would do good to look at our <a href="http://www.thegoldwater.com/news/7324-More-Criminal-Savages-Indulge-In-Houston-Looting">series of articles on looting instances</a> in the wakes of <a href="http://thegoldwater.com/news/7756-VIDEO-Hurricane-Irma-St-Maarten-Looting-Breaks-Out">both Irma and Harvey.</a>
And that is only a handful, many more instances are reported.
With this in mind, and thinking back to the similar order signed by the then Mayor of New Orleans in 2005 when Hurrican Katrina hit, leaving residents no means of protecting themselves against possible looting of their property and belongings seems to us a bit of an overreach. As of this morning, it was reported that four people died in the Virgin Islands and buildings are badly damaged.
The order signed by the Governor states in no uncertain terms that the National Guard is now “authorized and directed to seize arms, ammunition, explosives, incendiary material and any other property” during the storm.
A copy of the order signed by the aforementioned Governor can be seen <a href="http://dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/NATL-GUARD.pdf">here.</a>
The Oathkeepers website writer David Codrea, local resident, wrote that this is a “setup for the unconstitutional seizure of Hurricane Katrina all over again. Presumably, if a citizen defies the guard, the escalation of force up to and including lethal will be authorized and ‘legal.’”
Chris Cox of the National Rifle Association (NRA), also fired off a protest:
“People need the ability to protect themselves during times of natural disaster. This dangerous order violates the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens and puts their lives at risk. When 911 is non-existent and law enforcement personnel are overwhelmed with search-and-rescue missions and other emergency duties, law-abiding American citizens must be able to protect their families and loved ones. The NRA is prepared to pursue legal action to halt Gov. Mapp’s dangerous and unconstitutional action.”
Source:
7766 - Look at what is happening in St Maarten, what do you think is going to happen in the Virgin Islands. Same damn thing.
Their "military forces" may require civilian arms to perform their duties? What kind of armed services is this? Why stop at firearms? Allow them to confiscate automobiles, money, hell and even the womenfolk "if required for the performance of the mission". For each item, they can provide separate request forms the previous moron mentioned.
The Moron Responds .
This ain't no Max Max situation. If it were, I'd bunker down and say screw the outside world.
If the NG doesn't have working 4x4 / emergency vehicles or gas to evac trapped and injured, I'd pony up my vehicle or even drive. If they need ammo to legally shoot looter I'll pony up mu extra ammo. If they need grub
I'll feed them. They are the only Legal defense civilians have during a disaster.
Money is useless burglarizing a bank is way to simple during and after such storms. Only Food, Fuel, Firearms and Shelter are valuable commodities in a Day to Week After scenario.
Plus sharing extra or excess when a likely recovery date is soon to happen, is morally required.
Remember Small Island communities excluding off-landers, tend to be very close knit. So if you want to have ANY honor or a good name after the disaster is over, you'll do the right thing for friends and family to some extent.
If that makes me a moron, I can live with it.
I guess I am going against the tide on this one, and admit to having mixed feelings in doing so. I have read nowhere of any widespread Armed Guard members in uniform doing door to door confiscations. Just the ability IF NEEDED to commandeer items to maintain law and order.
Understand Martial law is an extreme and rare measure used to control total chaotic situations. So I suggest others re-read the order and look up the referenced Law. Instead having a media induced knee jerk reaction.
Take special note of the restrictive caveat applied in the emergency order.
"… PROPERTY THAT MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE MILITARY FORCES FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS EMERGENCY MISSION…"
Then take a step back and think of the near total anarchy situation down there right now. Then understand that the Virgin Island Nation Guard numbers way less than 500 armed in uniform patrolling soldiers of the 1000 it has. Understand the island of 106k+ will be cut off for days until Irma & Jose are done with. To say the V.I. Guard is neck deep in pile of stinky stuff, with little supplies is an under statement to say the least. V.I. is in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by other islands having the same extreme problems. Plus what little stockpiles the Guard unit may have had were likely severely effected by Irma also.
There is No Mass door to door Confiscation Force going at it by any stretch of the imagination.
If it were me, I would provide some items and hide others …But only IF presented an official request form, which clearly stated the authority, who is responsible for the items, when it would be returned, replaced or that it would be paid for within 45 days.