Pursuant to the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution and (in the State of Colorado) Article II Section 13 of the Colorado Constitution, private individuals have a constitutional right to own and possess firearms. Pursuant to the 4th Amendment to the United States Constitution (as incorporated through the 14th Amendment) and (in the State of Colorado) Article II Section 7 of the Colorado Constitution, private individuals are protected from the government searching their homes, property, papers, and effects.
Specifically, the 4th Amendment to the the Unites States Constitution states, "The right of the people to be secure in persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures ...." Article II Section 7, of the Colorado Constitution states, "The people shall be secure in their persons, papers, homes and effects, from unreasonable searches and seizures...." Article II Section 13 of the Colorado Constitution states, " The right of the people to keep and bear arms in defense of his home, person and property or in aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, shall be called into question...."
Knowing that there is a right to keep a gun - or even a BB gun - in your own home for your own protection is a constitutional right. There is no dispute in the law unless the person is precluded from owning a firearm pursuant to a qualifying criminal conviction. However, the government (both local and federal), which has not been held accountable by the courts, continues to violate individual's rights. The following story is absolutely shocking.
"I FELT VIOLATED" - Police Search Baltimore County House Over BB Gun in Virtual Class
by Chris Papst, WBFF Staff
Wednesday, June 10th 2020
Police Search Baltimore County House Over BB Gun in Virtual Class (WBFF) BALTIMORE (WBFF) - A Baltimore County family is warning other parents after they say police were called to their house over something that happened during a virtual school lesson. The incident is raising concerns over privacy and safety in the era of online learning. As a Navy veteran with four years of active duty, Courtney Lancaster has extensive knowledge of guns, how to use them and how to store them. Her 11-year-old son, who owns BB guns, is a boy scout in fifth grade at Seneca Elementary School. “He's just a very intellectual child, but he's all boy as well. He loves to be outside and play and ride his bikes and that sort of thing,” Courtney told Project Baltimore. In his pursuit of becoming an Eagle Scout, Courtney says her son has learned how to shoot a BB gun and an airsoft gun. He’s also taken three levels of archery lessons. His mother says he stores his bow and guns on this wall in his bedroom. It’s never been a problem until June 1, when police pulled up outside her house. "I FELT VIOLATED"|Police Search Baltimore County House Over BB Gun in Virtual Class “I had no idea what to think. I've never been in any legal trouble whatsoever. I've never had any negative encounter with law enforcement,” said Courtney. “I had no idea. I really didn't know what to think.” Courtney says she was home with her son who’s been doing virtual learning since schools shut down in March. Police Search Baltimore County House Over BB Gun in Virtual Class Police Search Baltimore County House Over BB Gun in Virtual Class (WBFF) “So, I answered the door. The police officer was, he was very nice. He explained to me that he was coming to address an issue with my son's school,” Courtney told Project Baltimore. “And then explained to me that he was here to search for weapons, in my home. And I consented to let him in. And then I, unfortunately, stood there and watched police officers enter my 11-year-old son's bedroom.” Courtney was told someone had seen the guns in her son’s bedroom during a Google Meet class on his laptop. “I thought, this is outrageous. This is despicable,” she said. “I had no idea what in the world could this be over? BB guns never even once entered my mind. How many 11-year-old boys have BB guns?” According to emails Courtney later exchanged with a school administrator, a screenshot was taken during the online class. The principal of Seneca Elementary was notified. Courtney says she was told the school safety officer then called police. “I felt violated as a parent, for my child, who's standing there with police officers in his room, just to see the fear on his face,” she said. Courtney says the police officers were in her home for about 20 minutes and found no violations. No laws were broken and no dangers present. They left without any further action, but Courtney wasn’t done. Since that day, she has written school administrators, the superintendent and the school board, demanding answers. She says the principal initially compared bringing a weapon to a virtual class to bringing a gun to school. "I FELT VIOLATED"|Police Search Baltimore County House Over BB Gun in Virtual Class She was also told she could not see the screenshot of her son’s bedroom, because it’s not part of his student record. “It's absolutely scary to think about,” Courtney said. “Who are on these calls? Who do we have viewing your children and subsequently taking these screenshots that can be sent anywhere or used for any purpose?” Project Baltimore reached out to Baltimore County Schools requesting an interview. We received this statement, “Our longstanding policy is to not debate individual circumstances through the media. There are multiple ways for families to share concerns with us. In general terms, the safety of students and staff is our chief concern, whether we are meeting in classrooms or via continuity of learning.” "I FELT VIOLATED"|Police Search Baltimore County House Over BB Gun in Virtual Class Courtney says she understands the safety concerns, but no one called her first before involving police. “There's no more trust. There have just been a series of lies and just no cooperation,” she said. Now, she worries about the future of virtual learning without clear policies in place. “So, what are the parameters? Where are the lines drawn? If my son is sitting at the kitchen island next to a butcher block, does that constitute a weapon? It's not allowed at school, right? So, would my home then be searched because he's sitting next to a butcher block,” Courtney said. “I feel like parents need to be made aware of what the implications are, what the expectations are.”