Senator postpones fingerprint bill vote to allow more debate

[BlueJessamine]

Source: Tennessean

A state Senator pushing a bill that would allow police officers to fingerprint Tennessee motorists for traffic violations says the proposal is nothing new and simply authorizes the collection of fingerprints electronically rather than with ink.

But defense attorneys say the bill actually expands police powers.

Sen. Joe Haynes, the Goodlettsville Democrat sponsoring the bill, decided to postpone the vote until May 28 to give his colleagues more time to study it. The proposal has drawn criticism and concern from lawmakers and citizens alike, although the House of Representatives already has approved it.

"I've had several people come up to me and express concern about this bill," Haynes said during Wednesday's Senate session. "It's not like Big Brother is looking down your throat like you think he is. Right now, police can take a fingerprint from someone stopped for a traffic violation. This bill just says that fingerprint can be electronic instead of a regular ink print."

But police admit, under current law, they can only ask a motorist for a fingerprint during a traffic stop but the motorist can refuse without any legal consequences.


Read more: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090521/NEWS0201/905210356/Senator+postpones+fingerprint+bill+vote+to+allow+more+debate

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Gives me a queasy feeling

I had to get fingerprinted when I worked with pre-schoolers, and that made me feel like a criminal, even though I've never been arrested! I freak if a cop stops me in my car anyway, and making me be fingerprinted would make it even worse!

[saigon68]

2. Guy in Black Uniform

"Your papers please"

[liberal N proud]

8. My thoughts exactly

[snowdays]

3. This is too much. just too much

[BlueJessamine]

4. a comment from the tennessean:

catdoc:

"This is a bad bill! It has a huge gaping hole of possibility for abuse of authority. Who in their right mind would think that this is not the foot in the door to blanket fingerprinting and development of a “list” that could be used for many infringements upon privacy?

I do not see how a photo id, SS #, name, and address, which are already on the valid drivers liscenses, cannot provide all the information needed to adjudicate a speeder. An addition of a fingerprint will not get these people to court if they choose not to appear! If they don’t have the standard valid liscenses, take them to jail immediately! What more do you need?

However, we see the courts release repeat DUI offenders and those who are driving on revoked or with no liscenses, only to have them do the crime over and over again. Again, how will a fingerprint help here, and how many forms of abuse can you see coming?"

[tomm2thumbs]

5. ooh ooh - scan my retina - oh please, scan my retina!!!

take some urine, hair clippings, fingernails, cheek swabs and a breath test while you are at it - Oh, and a drop of blood for good measure.

[Rebubula]

6. Very bad idea....

...in my personal opinion

[Downwinder]

7. Why don't they just tattoo your dna number on your forearm? n/t