Should panhandling be illegal?

[gar598]

Just wondering, I typically see around 5 to 10 people on the corner of busy intersections each day. I know some cities have ordinances against panhandling, but others do not.

Opinions?

 

[RagingBITCH]

There's an ordinance in Dallas that recently went into effect.

I don't know if it should be illegal or not though. It does seem like a lot of homeless have or had other options other than that but chose to live that lifestyle. Some seem like they didn't have an option.

 

[dartworth]

Why should it be illegal. They have rights too.

Just because they make you feel uncomfortable, doesn't mean they don't have the right to do what they do.

 

[gar598]

Well, I never said I was against it. In my opinion, the concept of people standing along the highways presents a serious safety concern. Also, I suppose some of the problems with panhandling results from them (the panhandlers) using private land/property to solicit their agenda. The owners of such businesses would argue that their is no difference between panhandling and someone selling goods on their land/property. Maybe we need designated "panhandling zones."

 

No.
The last thing we need in this damned country is more restrictive legislation.

 

[Kilgor]

Originally posted by: dartworth
Why should it be illegal. They have rights too.

Just because they make you feel uncomfortable, doesn't mean they don't have the right to do what they do.

They have the right to panhandle is that in the bill of rights? I don?t remember seeing anything about loitering and harassing other people in there. I think it all depends on the laws in your community. Personally I don?t mind panhandlers as long as they don?t get aggressive. I don?t usually give them any money because all they?ll do is blow it on a bottle or drugs.

 

[kozman31]

I don't think there should be any laws against it, I mean it's not like they're causing you any harm. If you don't like it, just walk away, no big deal. I could understand if they started getting aggressive, but as far as my experience goes, they just ask and then move on. Plus it's entertaining when they tell you a story about where they're going or how they ended up where they are, ect ect.

 

[geno]

Because it makes people uncomfortable means that it should be illegal?

 

[Vic]

Of course not. We don't need any more laws and I don't think people should be allowed to ease their guilty consciences by sweeping their problems under the rug. And if you can't look the panhandler in the eye when you tell him no, then I would say that's a sign of a guilty conscience...

 

[JHoNNy1OoO]

Yes it should be illegal because the majority of panhandlers do it because its easy money and aren't trying to further themselves. I've seen the same panhandlers in corners here in Miami for years at a time wearing the same thing and just asking for money. They get free food from the shelters and mostly use the money for drugs and alcohol. This is my experience, may be different in your area.

-

 

[BurnItDwn]

It should be illegal. However, first the government needs to rethink its whole subsidized housing plan to get all homeless people homes where they can clean up and then go out and find a job.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: JHoNNy1OoO
Yes it should be illegal because the majority of panhandlers do it because its easy money and aren't trying to further themselves. I've seen the same panhandlers in corners here in Miami for years at a time wearing the same thing and just asking for money. They get free food from the shelters and mostly use the money for drugs and alcohol. This is my experience, may be different in your area.

-

So don't give them money, dumbass

Otherwise asking for money is freedom of speech. Learn to live with it, fascist.

edit:

Originally posted by: BurnItDwn
It should be illegal. However, first the government needs to rethink its whole subsidized housing plan to get all homeless people homes where they can clean up and then go out and find a job.

Jeez, you people aren't bright. You give people free housing and free food and why would they want to go out and find a job where they actually have to work? Answer that.

 

[Kilgor]

Originally posted by: BurnItDwn
It should be illegal. However, first the government needs to rethink its whole subsidized housing plan to get all homeless people homes where they can clean up and then go out and find a job.

You?re assuming they want to go out get jobs and live in houses. I?d bet you only a small minority of them want jobs, houses or the responsibilities that go with them.

 

They have the right to panhandle is that in the bill of rights? I don?t remember seeing anything about loitering and harassing other people in there. I think it all depends on the laws in your community. Personally I don?t mind panhandlers as long as they don?t get aggressive. I don?t usually give them any money because all they?ll do is blow it on a bottle or drugs.

Using the Bill of Rights is not a very strong argument. I don't see your right to drive a car in there. Or your right to be on the internet. Or your right to own a phone. I understand where you're coming from, but it's really not applicable here.

You?re assuming they want to go out get jobs and live in houses. I?d bet you only a small minority of them want jobs, houses or the responsibilities that go with them.

You're assuming that they didn't have everything you mentioned in there life, ever. It's not like these people are born on the streets, and raised from birth on the sidewalk. They were mostly normal poeple like you and I, with many many bad breaks.

 

[gar598]

The issue is not so much of it being allowed, it's where exactly can they panhandle? Are they presenting a danger by loitering along the highways? Should sidewalks be an allowable area even if they are in front of a private business? I, personally, have no problem with the people who "choose" (to some extent, they do choose) to live that kind of lifestyle.

 

[Amused]

Making it illegal to ask for money is a blatant violation of a our First Amendment rights.

NO WHERE in the Constitution are you protected from being offended or annoyed.

I swear, we are really headed FAST into self imposed nanny-state fascism in this country.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: Amused
Making it illegal to ask for money is a blatant violation of a our First Amendment rights.

NO WHERE in the Constitution are you protected from being offended or annoyed.

I swear, we are really headed FAST into self imposed nanny-state fascism in this country.

Agreed. Communication will be outlawed soon, because somewhere, sometime, someone might be offended. But of course, that might offend someone too.

 

[Konigin]

Originally posted by: dartworth
Why should it be illegal. They have rights too.

Just because they make you feel uncomfortable, doesn't mean they don't have the right to do what they do.

Since when is panhandling a right? I really don't care what they want to do. But to say someone has a right to do any random thing they want to do is totally ridiculous.

 

[FoBoT]

yes, or at least doing it in the street

in the past year, it has become very popular on certain intersections in Kansas City to "sell" M&M's or pixie sticks or slips of paper. its just a ruse to beg for money. if they are allowed to block/disrupt traffic , then i should be able to run over them. they are really starting to piss me off :disgust:

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Konigin

Originally posted by: dartworth
Why should it be illegal. They have rights too.

Just because they make you feel uncomfortable, doesn't mean they don't have the right to do what they do.

Since when is panhandling a right? I really don't care what they want to do. But to say someone has a right to do any random thing they want to do is totally ridiculous.

Um, panhandling is a form of SPEECH. "Can I have some money?" <---That is SPEECH and it is protected by the First Amendment.

YOU, on the other hand, have NO right to be free of offense or annoyance caused by my speech.

Understand?

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
yes, or at least doing it in the street

in the past year, it has become very popular on certain intersections in Kansas City to "sell" M&M's or pixie sticks or slips of paper. its just a ruse to beg for money. if they are allowed to block/disrupt traffic , then i should be able to run over them. they are really starting to piss me off :disgust:

Now this is different. They are blocking traffic and breaking public safety laws. THAT is their crime, not the action of asking for money or selling things.

 

Quote

Originally posted by: dartworth
Why should it be illegal. They have rights too.

Just because they make you feel uncomfortable, doesn't mean they don't have the right to do what they do.


Since when is panhandling a right? I really don't care what they want to do. But to say someone has a right to do any random thing they want to do is totally ridiculous.

Wow, read that back to yourself and think about what you said.

 

[Thraxen]

Um, panhandling is a form of SPEECH. "Can I have some money?" <---That is SPEECH and it is protected by the First Amendment. YOU, on the other hand, have NO right to be free of offense or annoyance caused by my speech.

That's not exactly right. I can't go outside your house at 2 AM and just start yelling for hours on end, even if it is technically "speech".

 

[FoBoT]

standing in traffic blocking the road isn't a form of speech

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Thraxen

Um, panhandling is a form of SPEECH. "Can I have some money?" <---That is SPEECH and it is protected by the First Amendment. YOU, on the other hand, have NO right to be free of offense or annoyance caused by my speech.

That's not exactly right. I can't go outside your house at 2 AM and just start yelling for hours on end, even if it is technically "speech".

Because there is an excessive noise ordinance. Try passing that on a crowded city street during the day.