Illegal Searches

“Metal Detectors and a Search for Peace of Mind” (May 30), on weapons searches of Los Angeles high school students, had two key points: They never find any weapons and the searches are “voluntary.” Our students could learn a valuable civics lesson, a real-world example of the 4th Amendment: Just say “no” to government searches. Any time a government agent, whether it is a principal or a law enforcement officer, asks your permission to search your car, house or body, tell him “no.” It will just take a few students to loudly stand up for their freedom, and this time-wasting loss of dignity will disappear.

Tom Hynes

San Pedro