First of all we're shocked, I say, shocked that the Washington Post actually characterized D.C.'s plan as "anti-gun". But if you look at D.C.'s plan, it's actually anti-civil rights. They plan to send policemen door-to-door searching homes.

D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) and Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier announced several new initiatives today aimed at combating gun crimes, including one encouraging residents to submit to voluntary searches of their homes in exchange for amnesty if the residents have illegal guns or drugs.

The "safe homes initiative" is aimed at residents, such as parents or guardians who know or suspect their children have guns in their home, who want to cooperate with police, Lanier said.

The program will begin March 24 in the Washington Highlands area of Southeast Washington, where officers will go door to door asking residents for permission to search their homes. It will then expand to other areas of the city.

Of course the searches are "voluntary". When intimidating officers show up at the front door asking permission to come inside and look around, they can always say no.

But as a casual watcher of COPS and other police-type shows, I am amazed to see people that volunteer to let officers rifle through their property looking for contraband. If you ever get pulled over or the police ever show up to your door, if they ask to look around the answer is always NO. If an officer wants to search your property, you should let him know in no uncertain terms that it is against your wishes and will be done under duress.

Don't fall for that "What are you hiding?" crap. Let them know that you are not going to voluntarily surrender your civil rights. Better yet, laugh it off and ask them if criminals ever really fall for that trick.