The easiest solution is to include a provision in the rental agreement stating that you won't possess firearms in the apartment. In addition, include a provision that indicates that the tenant wil consent to any search requested by the landlord. You could even make these provision optional, such that any tenant can decline to agree to them by checking the appropriate box. (Most tenants in such projects probably won't bother to read them anyway). Once agreed to, if a tenant refuses to consent to a search, they can be evicted for breaching the rental agreement. If they consent, and guns are found, they can likewise be evicted. No criminal prosecution need ever be initiated.... I'm not sure that all states would permit searches even under these circumstances, but its a basic rule of 4th amendment law that you can consent to warrantless searches. Getting the consent up front, especially where it could be refused, would eliminate the problem of warrantless searches. Of course, if you refused consent, the landlords might just watch you a little more closely... Comments? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Evidence, Inc. | The Internet Cops are watching, Evidence@Nowhere.Nil | aren't they? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Mon, 18 Apr 1994, Jim Sewell - KD4CKQ wrote:
On Sun, 17 Apr 94 13:39:39 paul@hawksbill.sprintmrn.com (Paul Ferguson) wrote:
A Page 1 story in The Washington Post Sunday (94.04.17) reads, ... [warrantless searches of housing project] ... Anyway, the point is, these people aren't safe in their own homes.
The people of CHA didn't forfeit the right to being secure in their homes.
But they could by signing a waiver, as discussed above..