A conversation that seems to be absent about isis

[Richbirdhunter]

Didn't W. Bush sign a law that says the government can't disarm citizens during a time of emergency?

[jmra]

There have been numerous instances of the imposition of martial law in the US, but only Lincoln's (09/15/1863) was nationwide, all the others were local impositions due to emergencies (Katrina, Chicago Fire), or riot or rebellion (Colorado Coalfield 1914, Tulsa race riot 1921), and of course Hawaii from December 7, 1941 to October 24, 1944.

I was a TSA agent assigned to go to NOLA after Katrina and we were briefed that Ray Nagin, then Mayor of NOLA, had declared martial law in the city on 08/31/2005 and we could expect push back from the citizens we would be summarily disarming, including the removal of previously legal firearms from checked baggage. We were told that due to martial law, all possession of firearms in NOLA had been outlawed, including in the checked bags of people leaving.

Ultimately I did not go, so I have no eye witness testimony to present, someone at a higher level decided that only about half the agents assigned were actually needed, which decision eventually placed an undue burden on those that did go. Folks who came back showed some very interesting pictures of what was going on at MSY, including 55 gallon drums full of discarded firearms, or maybe a better term would be confiscated. After several people got called up before higher management within TSA, the showing of those pictures suddenly stopped.

Martial Law was not imposed after Katrina. At no time did the military assume control over local police or federal agents nor did they assume the role of courts or the legislature. The presence of the national guard or regular units for that matter does not constitute martial law. Ray Nagin did not have the ability to declare martial law as he did not have command of military troups. He did establish a curfew and did break the law in regards to confiscation of weapons but no martial law.
ETA: this link should clear up some confusion on Martial Law
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_ ... l_law.html

[Dave2]

Didn't W. Bush sign a law that says the government can't disarm citizens during a time of emergency?

It was an executive order. http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2012/10 ... emergency/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;