• doctorcrimson@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      When they wrote the laws against murder in the late 18th century they didn’t really draw that distinction, unfortunately. That’s how laws work, the intent of the lawmakers who voted to pass it are what matters when attempting to enforce it. A similar case would be making Donald Trump ineligible for office over sedition, he put up a legal defence claiming that the lawmakers never intended for it to apply to presidents or other high level office holders, but it turns out the congressional records detail the conversations when they considered making exemptions and decided it should apply to everyone.

        • doctorcrimson@lemmy.world
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          9 months ago

          Hawaii’s Supreme court actually has very recently, and the Assault Rifle Ban that expired a few years ago was also a great example of it, but yes I agree more consistency and less corruption in government would be great.