Penny Dean and Your Rights

ATF Just Violated Federal Law, Intentionally Leaking Gun Owners' Data

admin — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 13:09:44 +0000

Why Did Canada Freeze Bank Accounts?

admin — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 11:11:34 +0000

In early 2022, Canada faced widespread protests known as the "Freedom Convoy," initially sparked by truck drivers opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates for cross-border travel. The movement rapidly grew into broader opposition against all pandemic restrictions, leading to prolonged occupations in Ottawa around Parliament Hill and blockades at critical U.S. border crossings, such as the Ambassador Bridge. These actions disrupted daily life, trade, and supply chains, resulting in significant economic losses and prompting the government to view the situation as a national crisis requiring extraordinary measures.

On February 14, 2022, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government invoked the Emergencies Act for the first time since its replacement of the War Measures Act in 1988. This granted temporary powers to address what was deemed a national emergency beyond provincial capabilities, including regulating assemblies and securing borders. A key component was the Emergency Economic Measures Order, which compelled banks, crowdfunding platforms, and even cryptocurrency exchanges to freeze accounts and halt services linked to protest organizers, participants, and supporters - without needing court orders - to cut off financial support for the demonstrations.

The measures affected over 200 bank accounts holding about $7.8 million, primarily targeting key figures and vehicle owners involved in blockades, though not individual small donors. The Emergencies Act was revoked on February 23, 2022, after just over a week, leading to the swift unfreezing of accounts. A subsequent independent inquiry, the Public Order Emergency Commission (Rouleau Commission), reviewed the government's actions and released its report in February 2023, examining the justification and proportionality of these unprecedented steps.

For the full article and detailed analysis, visit: https://legalclarity.org/why-did-canada-freeze-bank-accounts/

Student handcuffed after AI system mistook bag of chips for weapon

admin — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:18:40 +0000

A Baltimore County high school student was ordered to the ground, handcuffed, and searched after an artificial intelligence system monitoring school cameras falsely identified a crumpled Doritos bag as a firearm.
The student, sitting outside after football practice, says officers arrived with guns drawn and detained him before confirming he had no weapon. [see video]

"It was like eight cop cars that came pulling up for us... They made me get on my knees, put my hands behind my back, and cuffed me." — Student account reported by local media.

What happened

Baltimore County Public Schools use an AI gun detection system that analyzes existing school camera feeds and sends alerts when a possible weapon is identified. The system triggered an alert at Kenwood High School, police responded, and the student was detained and searched. School officials say the alert was canceled after review, but law enforcement had already engaged and detained the student.

Fourth Amendment issues and unreasonable search concerns

Basis for police action: The response appears to have been triggered solely by an automated alert. The Constitution requires searches and seizures to be reasonable and usually to rest on probable cause. Relying on an unverified AI signal raises questions about whether officers had lawful grounds for such an intrusive response.
Technology as proxy for human observation: If a software flag is treated as equivalent to a human eyewitness, the threshold for searches and detentions may be lowered. Faulty detection can therefore produce unlawful intrusions on privacy and liberty.
Lack of transparency and accountability: There is often little public information about how these systems decide a given image indicates a weapon, how often they make mistakes, or what review procedures exist before police are called in force. That lack of oversight compounds Fourth Amendment concerns.
Disproportionate response risk: Automated alerts can trigger armed, tactical law enforcement responses that are disproportionate to the actual risk. For a student holding a snack bag to be confronted at gunpoint suggests the response was far more severe than the actual situation warranted.

Why this matters

Schools have a legitimate interest in safety. But safety systems that lack reliability or transparency can produce harmful, invasive outcomes. This incident shows how errors in automated monitoring can quickly escalate into situations that implicate citizens' Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

story at https://www.wesh.com/article/student-handcuffed-ai-mistook-bag-chips-wea...

upload_file:

doritos-bag-investigation.mp4

This Week's AWS Crash Made Smart Beds Overheat, Get Stuck In Wrong Position

admin — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 09:43:43 +0000

Thanks to PC Magazine:

Many in the US awoke on Monday to see that their online tools weren't working after an Amazon Web Services (AWS) outage. A few were tipped off because their smart mattress malfunctioned.

Those with Eight Sleep smart bed tech found their heated protectors weren't able to change temperature due to the outage. Some found their beds were stuck in an upright position.

On X, Eight Sleep CEO Matteo Franceschetti apologized; it's "not the experience we want to provide," he wrote. The brand is now working on “outage-proofing” for future issues. Franceschetti expects that to be done by the end of the day.

An X user found that his mattress was over nine degrees warmer than desired, and they were unable to reduce the temperature. Another user reported being awoken at 2 a.m. with the bed at 80 degrees Fahrenheit, while another said his bed was "unusable right now because it’s 100% subscription based with no backup plan to let people manually set it when AWS is down."

(editor's note: the implications of the government using such "online tools" such as allowing you to exercise your constitutionally-protected rights rights are obvious.)

source: https://www.pcmag.com/news/this-weeks-aws-crash-made-smart-beds-overheat...

Four rules of gun safety, a lesson for Deputies?

admin — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 12:19:52 +0000

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A man in his 40s was accidentally shot by a deputy while defending his home from a break-in on August 23, 2025, in the 2600 block of Sheringham Road.

The incident started when the victim shot at four suspects who were trying to break into his home. The suspects ran away on foot before police arrived.

When deputies arrived at the scene, the victim was attempting to unlock the door when a deputy accidentally fired his gun, hitting the victim.

The victim was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening and was released later that day.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is examining the incident, and the deputy involved has been placed on temporary, paid administrative leave.

Full story at https://www.wftv.com/news/local/orange-county-man-defending-his-home-bre... and also see https://www.itstactical.com/warcom/firearms/colonel-jeff-cooper-carry-co... and http://donath.org/Rants/TheFourRules/ [and also anywhere that tells you NOT to use your pistol as a flashlight. -Ed.]

Something wonderful just happened with Qualified Immunity

admin — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 23:13:05 +0000

A recent ruling by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals marks a notable shift in how courts are viewing qualified immunity. The court denied this protection to a Jackson, Mississippi detective who wrongfully arrested an innocent man. While this is a positive outcome for accountability, what makes the case extraordinary is the court’s candid admission that qualified immunity is a flawed, judge-created doctrine without legislative foundation.

Judge Don R. Willett, writing for the majority, described the doctrine as "judicially contrived" and acknowledged its many defects. The court emphasized, however, that as appellate judges, they lack the power to abolish qualified immunity entirely. This admission is significant because it lays bare the fact that the policy is not rooted in any law passed by Congress, but rather, emerged from judicial precedent. It represents a clear invitation for higher courts or lawmakers to take definitive action.

Downsize DC sees this moment as a strategic opening to finally end qualified immunity. They are mobilizing citizens through a grassroots campaign known as “The 300,” encouraging civic involvement to pressure Congress to outlaw the practice entirely. The case serves as both a legal milestone and a rallying point for broader reform.

Read the full article here: Something wonderful just happened with Qualified Immunity

Trump should pardon innocent sailor jailed by Biden administration for 20 years

admin — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 09:19:58 +0000

Patrick "Tate" Adamiak, a former U.S. Navy E-6, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence despite never committing a crime. Adamiak, who ran a website selling firearm parts (but not firearms), became the target of an ATF investigation after an informant provided false information. When heavily armed ATF agents raided his home, they found nothing illegal. However, Firearms Enforcement Officer Jeffrey Bodell manipulated evidence to classify legal firearm parts as illegal, leading to Adamiak’s conviction. His case is seen as one of the most egregious errors in ATF’s history, highlighting systemic misconduct within the agency.

Bodell allegedly modified toy guns, collectible semi-automatic firearms, and inert RPGs to function as illegal weapons, despite the fact that these same items remain legal and widely available for purchase. The ATF’s misrepresentation of evidence, combined with an anti-gun judge limiting Adamiak’s defense, resulted in a guilty verdict. Despite the conviction, the U.S. Navy never demoted him, a strong indication that they did not believe he had committed any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, millions of Americans have expressed outrage over his case, seeing it as a miscarriage of justice driven by government incompetence and dishonesty.

Supporters argue that Adamiak’s imprisonment is unjust and that he should be pardoned. The article appeals to former President Donald Trump to intervene, noting that Trump has pardoned individuals for offenses far more severe. Adamiak himself maintains his innocence and expresses a strong desire to clear his name, regain his rights, and serve his country again. The case raises broader concerns about ATF overreach, prosecutorial misconduct, and the need for justice reform to prevent similar wrongful convictions.

See the story at https://saf.org/trump-should-pardon-innocent-sailor-jailed-by-biden-admi...

Doctor asks patients about firearm safety at home

admin — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 19:50:58 +0000

A gun range may feel like a world away from a doctor's office, but some medical professionals in Wisconsin are training at one to save lives by learning about firearms.

"I felt like I had a real deficit in talking about firearms with patients," said Dr. James Bigham, a primary care doctor and clinical associate professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

Bigham runs a class for medical students and staff about the basics of firearms at Max Creek Gun Range, alongside shop and gun owner Steve D'Orazio.

"That's part of being a responsible gun owner is knowing right from wrong," D'Orazio said.

During routine visits, Bigham asks patients about how they store their weapons at home. MORE

Skilled police interrogation tactics can lead even innocent people to falsely confess

admin — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 12:03:10 +0000

A California man named Thomas Perez Jr. received a $900,000 settlement from the city of Fontana after enduring a harrowing 17-hour police interrogation in 2018[1][3][5].

Key details of the case:

- Perez reported his 71-year-old father missing after he didn't return from walking the dog[1].

- Police interrogated Perez for 17 hours, falsely claiming they had found his father's body and pressuring him to confess[1][3].

- Officers denied Perez sleep, medication, and threatened to euthanize his dog[1][3].

- Under extreme duress, Perez falsely confessed to killing his father and attempted suicide in the interrogation room[1][5].

- Perez's father was found alive at Los Angeles International Airport, but police did not immediately inform Perez[3][5].

- Perez filed a federal civil rights lawsuit, alleging unconstitutional psychological torture[1].

U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee stated that "a reasonable juror could conclude that [the detectives] inflicted unconstitutional psychological torture on Perez"[1]. The judge noted Perez was "sleep deprived, mentally ill, and significantly undergoing symptoms of withdrawal from his psychiatric medications" during the interrogation[3].

Perez's attorney, Jerry Steering, called it "the most egregious act of deliberate cruelty" he had witnessed in 40 years of practice[2]. He emphasized how skilled police interrogation tactics can lead even innocent people to falsely confess[3].

Three of the four officers involved in Perez's case remain employed with the Fontana Police Department, while one has retired[1]. The case highlights ongoing concerns about police interrogation techniques and their potential to produce false confessions, even from adults[1].

Citations:
[1] https://reason.com/2024/05/28/california-man-gets-900000-settlement-for-...
[2] https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/fontana-pays-900000-settlement-a...
[3] https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/24/california-fonta...
[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/AskConservatives/comments/1d94xho/what_do_you_t...
[5] https://www.sbsun.com/2024/05/23/fontana-pays-nearly-900000-for-psycholo...

The Mystery of AI Gunshot-Detection Accuracy Is Finally Unraveling

admin — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 00:28:58 +0000

Liz González’s neighborhood in East San Jose can be loud. Some of her neighbors apparently want the whole block to hear their cars, others like to light fireworks for every occasion, and occasionally there are gunshots.
In February 2023, San Jose began piloting AI-powered gunshot detection technology from Flock Safety. During the first four months, Flock’s system alerted police to 123 shooting incidents. However, data from San Jose’s Digital Privacy Office showed that only 50% of those alerts were confirmed gunfire, while 34% were false positives. After recalibrating the sensors, 81% of alerts were confirmed gunshots, 7% were false alarms, and 12% were indeterminate.
San Jose is unique in requiring its police department to disclose accuracy data for its gunshot detection system. This report, released on May 31, is the first time such data has been published.
False positives are a significant concern for communities of color, who fear unnecessary police presence. González, an organizer with Silicon Valley De-Bug, emphasized the potential danger of any police interaction in their community.
San Jose did not provide data on false negatives but acknowledged that the system does not detect all gunshots. Flock Safety claims its system is 90% accurate, while SoundThinking’s ShotSpotter, the most popular system, claims 97% accuracy. However, data from other cities like Champaign, Illinois, and Chicago show much lower confirmation rates.
New York City’s comptroller recently published an audit showing only 13% of ShotSpotter alerts were confirmed as gunfire. The NYPD has not published accuracy data despite having the necessary information, leading to criticisms of inadequate accountability.
Champaign and Chicago have canceled their contracts with Flock Safety and SoundThinking, respectively. Flock Safety defends its system's accuracy and highlights the benefit of alerts that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Research by Eric Piza at Northeastern University showed faster police responses and more ballistic evidence collection with gunshot detection alerts but no reduction in gun-related crimes or increased crime-solving rates.
San Jose’s Digital Privacy Office recommended improving the system’s accuracy. Despite the issues, the SJPD plans to continue using the technology, citing its usefulness in providing supplementary evidence for gun crimes.
Community advocate Darcie Green and organizer González both emphasize the need to evaluate whether such technology genuinely enhances safety or if resources could be better invested elsewhere.
For the full article, visit WIRED.