This past summer a new law went into effect strengthening Mississippi’s seat belt regulations.
It is now a primary offense for anyone in a motor vehicle not to wear a seatbelt, meaning a law officer does not need any reason to pull someone over other than not wearing a seatbelt.
I would argue the existence and enforcement of this law is a disgusting infringement on our personal liberty. I was recently pulled over and given a seatbelt citation here in Starkville. Not wearing a seatbelt was the only reason I was pulled over and cited.
I was not driving recklessly, and as the officer who issued me the ticket later admitted under oath, my actions posed no threat to public safety.
The basis of any free society is freedom of choice. The enforcement of this law is nothing less than state-sanctioned extortion.
One might think this position is melodramatic, but think about it: the government is effectively telling citizens we do not have the ability to make sound judgments regarding our own safety, so they will, in turn, force their own standards of safety on us.
If you decide to continue to embrace your freedom to choose, you will be detained by armed men and issued a fine. If you refuse to pay the fine, then a warrant is issued for your arrest.
If you refuse to go to jail for a victimless act? Well let us not kid ourselves, you will find yourself staring down the barrel of a gun, and, at this point, your options are to surrender your freedom and pay for your “crime,” or potentially be beaten or killed in your attempts to resist.
This infringement is extortion by the threat of force.