Date: Thu, 04 Aug 2005 19:20:49 -0400 From: "Alan Korwin" alan@GUNLAWS.COM Subject: Civil rights question meets guns To: AZRKBA@asu.edu FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 4, 2005 Complete contact info at end KEY CIVIL-RIGHTS LAWS ADDED TO GUN LIST Ten years of delay finally corrected by Alan Korwin, Author Gun Laws of America Does a fine line separate some gun laws from other statutes? Four controversial laws in particular have long remained outside the unabridged guide, "Gun Laws of America." The Tenth Anniversary edition however, just released by Phoenix-based Bloomfield Press, includes these laws for the first time. (Full details at gunlaws.com.) Statutes that specifically protect constitutional rights, often called civil-rights laws, do not mention guns per se. Despite this, experts and customers have for years been asking why we do not include these laws, which they believe fit the guidelines of "Gun Laws of America." These civil-rights laws basically criminalize private or governmental interference with constitutional rights. After our ten-year review, we are now of the opinion that these laws do merit inclusion, and should have been included all along. They are: Conspiracy Against Rights, Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law, Statements or Entries Generally, and Civil Action for Deprivation of Rights (USC: 18-241, 18-242, 18-1001, 42-1983). By way of illustration, the gist for the first one, Conspiracy Against Rights, on the books for nearly 60 years, is: ----- 18 USC 241. If two or more people conspire to injure, oppress, threaten or intimidate any person in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured under the Constitution or laws of the United States, they shall be fined, or imprisoned up to ten years, or both. The same penalty applies if two or more people go, in disguise, on the highway, or on the premises of a person, with similar intent to prevent or hinder such rights or privileges. If death results from such acts, or if such acts include kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, attempted aggravated sexual assault, or an attempt to kill, they may be fined, imprisoned for any term of years up to life, or put to death. ----- The plain language of this statute suggests that such criminal violations regularly occur with respect to the right to arms, making these laws quite relevant, and apparently under-enforced. We apologize for the delay. ### [Backgrounder: Bloomfield Press is the largest publisher of gun law books in the country, founded in 1989. Our website, gunlaws.com, features a free national directory to gun laws and relevant contacts in all states and federally, along with our unique line of related books and DVDs. "Gun Laws of America" for police department and news-media review is free on request, call 1-800-707-4020. Our authors are available for interview, call us to schedule. Call for cogent positions on gun issues, informed analysis on proposed laws, talk radio that lights up the switchboard, fact sheets and position papers. As we always say, "It doesn't make sense to own a gun and not know the rules."] Contact: Alan Korwin BLOOMFIELD PRESS "We publish the gun laws." 4718 E. Cactus #440 Phoenix, AZ 85032 602-996-4020 Phone 602-494-0679 FAX 1-800-707-4020 Orders Original Article alan@gunlaws.com Call, write, fax or click for a free catalog. Never forget that your rights are why you can live the way you do. Imagine if your rights were more robust. Encourage politicians to pass more laws... with expiration dates