The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Federal judge rules police cannot detain people for openly carrying guns

MLeake · September 10, 2009, 12:39 PM

... but I half disagree.

I agree that the "damages" should be about $8.00, plus any legal fees incurred.

However, I disagree that it ends there. "Punitive damages" aren't meant to make the plaintiff whole, as are actual damages; they are meant to serve notice to the wrong-doer that there is a price for doing wrong. In this instance, I think punitive damages are warranted, and the price needs to be enough to motivate the PD to put an end to its current practices. How much is that? Not sure.

September 10, 2009, 12:39 PM	#10
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	I half agree, HellBillySuperstar... ... but I half disagree. I agree that the "damages" should be about $8.00, plus any legal fees incurred. However, I disagree that it ends there. "Punitive damages" aren't meant to make the plaintiff whole, as are actual damages; they are meant to serve notice to the wrong-doer that there is a price for doing wrong. In this instance, I think punitive damages are warranted, and the price needs to be enough to motivate the PD to put an end to its current practices. How much is that? Not sure.