[UA] Explain American laws to me

[Ken Nelson]

-sorry if this seems late, but I wanted to go through
all 250+ posts in my inbox before I thought about
responding.  Much is anecdotal.

> GAMBLING.  So what is the deal here?  I know about
> Las Vegas, and
> Atlantic City; do other states have casinos, or
> 'casino cities'?  

--Legality depends on state.  Missouri (the state I
live in) has a couple of riverboat casinos along with
at least one landlocked casino (but may get around it
by piping in water).  

One thing interesting I heard in a loose relation to
Indian casinos was a recent attempt of a tribe
starting up it's own bank on it's reservation, a
possible on shore 'offshore' bank for taxation
purposes. (I could be wrong...)

> PROSTITUTION.  This is legal in some states, right? 
> Which ones?  Is it
> taxed?  Is that a brothel-only arrangement, or is
> streetwalking
> permitted?  Are there regualtory bodies?

--Has been covered for the most part. There is this
one 'massage parlor' nearby in which you go in and
sign a release form that states in a legal fashion
that they didn't advertise/streetwalk and you came of
your own free will (pardon the pun).  That is done
before money/credit card exchanges hands.

> DRUGS.  I know you have very strict drug laws over
> there, but I'm not
> sure how strict.  Are there legal shooting galleries
> or needle exchange
> programs?  Is it true that you can be imprisoned
> just for being addicted
> to, say, heroin?

--Honestly... I would say it depends on the judge &
the area you were arrested in.  Not always does the
sentance fit the drug.  Crack dealer may get a decade
or two, more or less.  But there is an instance of a
marijuana possesion for a man ending up getting what
should've just been called life imprisonment.  Can't
remember the exact amount of years, but it was
rediculous.

> GUNS.  Are they really as common as TV implies?  Is
> it possible to buy
> automatic weapons over the counter?

--Dunno about the commonality offhand.  No, not
exactly- it depends on the state.  Missouri, yes you
can own an automatic weapon.  You first need a couple
of licenses & an extensive background check, ending up
around $300+ for a license that needs to be renewed
every 3 to five years for the same amount of money I
believe.  Does require licensing of said firearm. 
Expect a visit from local authorities to check on said
weapon.  You can have your happy machine gun, but
silencers for your pistol & rifle are illegal in this
state.

-Ken Nelson (late)


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