Phoenix, AZ – The nanny/security state has reared its ugly head, again — this time in the form of a new law that requires passengers in a vehicle to carry identification – with violators facing up to four months in jail and a $750 dollar fine.
Last week, HB 2305 was introduced by Rep. Anthony Kern (R-Dist. 20), in hopes of reinstating an Arizona law that was struck down in 2002 after a judge ruled the statute as too vague to enforce.
Currently, Arizona law requires only requires that the driver of a vehicle carry identification.
The new law would require passengers in a vehicle to have evidence of identity, with failure to do so resulting in a misdemeanor charge, which allows for a penalty of up to four months in jail. The entire text of the bill can be read here.
There are no stipulations in the bill differentiating between children and adults. Thus, under the proposed law, if passed in its current form, parents would be ridiculously obliged to procure IDs for their children to be able to simply ride in a vehicle without breaking the law.
Furthermore, the way the bill is worded makes it potentially applicable to anyone riding a bicycle if officers felt like applying it in that manner.
Under established precedent, an officer is only allowed to request identification from someone if there is reasonable suspicion of a crime, or traffic infraction, to stop the driver of the vehicle.
Rep. Kern attempted to justify this absurd law by stating, “Police officers need to know who they are talking to, and we wanted to clarify it in statute for passengers also,” in reference to a previous court ruling that negated the old passenger ID law, which resulted in the dropping of possession of drug charges for a suspect who was arrested as a passenger for not having a valid ID and was not wearing a seatbelt.
The reality of the situation is that under established U.S. law, unless an officer has a reasonable articulable suspicion of a crime afoot, a citizen is under no obligation to provide identification. Make no mistake that there is no logic or reason in attempting to force passengers to carry ID under threat of imprisonment.
These actions are simply another means of providing the government with more control over individuals when agents of the state and citizens interact. The state is clearly attempting to tread upon the civil liberties/rights that are supposed to be inherent to all Americans.
Steve Kilar, spokesperson with the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, said the proposal would ascribe a harsh punishment for a minor violation.
“This proposal takes us one step closer to a society in which we’re required to carry identification whenever we leave our homes,” Kilar said. “Furthermore, it needlessly piles criminal penalties onto civil violations, which would lead to huge fines and fees for otherwise minor violations. We don’t need people branded criminals simply because they failed to carry—or do not have—an ID card.”
This attempt at criminalizing people who simply don’t carry, or have, an ID is an unmistakable example of the ruling class attempting to provide cover for its paid enforcers as a means of allowing them to have more power in their interactions with people NOT suspected of a crime.
Jay Syrmopoulos writes for TheFreeThoughtProject.com, where this article first appeared.
Next they will include ‘i.d.” requirements for riding in a bus…..it’s another step in our Orwellian surveillance society….then they will make it “easier” and “safer” for everyone if our “i.d.” is embedded in our bodies and can just be scanned…ofcourse to obtain this “i.d.” you must agree to the surveillance state and be a good corporate comrade with a good credit score and good “ethical” score (so to speak).
The slippery slope law I’d say.
While city bus service & subway do not require ID; Amtrak & Greyhound DO require ID for cross country travel now.
The boiling frogs metaphor at work.
Actually I think this is more directed at the illegal wetbacks. Under Trump, the illegals are going to be forced out of this country one way or another. Since Arizona is at the forefront of cracking down on these parasites, it only makes sense AZ have this law in place to arrest and intern these vermin wherever they are found.
If this law were aimed at illegals as you suggest, there would be no need for additional penalties–we already have laws concerning being in the country illegally. If this ID requirement for all car passengers involves you, then it is aimed at you. If it is not aimed at you but includes you, then it shouldn’t be a law.
Rep Kern has his shorts on too tight. Officers are also ordered to use the following phrase when enforcing the new law, “Your papers please,” with German accent mandatory.
The longer I live the more insane politicians are becoming. Ridiculous law like so many others. If anyone thinks they have freedom in N. America they are deaf dumb and blind. The gov’t oppression is suffocating, sucking the very life out of people! Don’t you just love it when new laws come with threats and promises?! Ya, just another stupid law from another stupid politician. Stupid is as stupid does.
And you wonder how John McCain keeps getting re elected?
IMHO…
Resist, don’t pay illegal taxes, don’t watch TV, talk to friends in person, don’t keep buying more crap you don’t need.
Attend any meeting that makes decisions on your life…PTA, city and county council meetings, land and water use, and especially Agenda 21.
Don’t be a victim, be a social activist warrior.
It will never pass, unless Arizona plans to close their borders to every other state. It violates the interstate commerce clause as well as the freedom for others from any state to travel within their borders.
Some countries do have laws that insure ” their citizens” will be better protected because they are asked for an in-country passport or ID. Europe used to have an ID system and probably still does. In Russia you have to show your in-country document in order for bus, train and airplane tickets, yet Russia is No police state. In fact its rare to see a lot of police on the roads or in the towns and villages. They don’t have any taxes so they don’t have the money – people just self regulate in the towns and villages I have lived in. If there is a big major problem , the police are called in from a larger town that has a police force. I was amazed when I was going home one night in Florida and the roadblock of 10 police cars had Everyone pulled over to ck. for DUI. The paper next day said they stopped over 1000 cars and got 3 DUI and 2 illegals. That is a Police State.