It's a continuing theft of our rights.
As I reported in an earlier post I am helping a friend to revitalize the Auxiliary Communications Service (Formerly R.A.C.E.S) in Broome County NY. The hoops I had to jump through to get the nod to join NY's ACS service was mind boggling.
1) First an interview with the 911 Director,
2) Background check: The same used for hiring a county Sheriff,
3) Then once approved which took ~ 8 weeks I had to get my passes to enter the EOC (Emergency Operations Center). This required a
CCW picture but instead of a CCW card it says Auxiliary Communications Service. Then another picture in a different department
for the badge I have to wear while in the EOC. The badge is used to sign in/out of the facility. It took about 2-hours of being shuffled
around from dept to dept to finally walk away with badge.
I also am a member of the NE Pennsylvania ACS group. The only hurdle that I had to overcome was to have a cup of coffee with the Regional Director. We talked politics, amateur radio, and guns for an hour or so. Several weeks later I received my credentials in the mail.
Excellent difference between a free state and a police state. It's not taxes but it does still apply.