Is it legal to burn the U.S. flag?

kitto

its a free country so i guess not, but i dont think its right, it means alot to the people in the US and to me.

cfbjr4486

It's perfectly legal, but offensive to some people so if you do it in protest be careful.

tangohunter76

Yes. That is what you do when you retire it or it touches the ground.

souldger101

It is not illegal to burn the flag even though you can get arrested for it...but if you get arrested for it, you can sue the government for violating the 1st ammendment of the constitution of the bill of rights which gives you the right to freedom of speech

The Girl Is A Geek

Yes. But tacky and undignified. If you want to look like a fool, be my guest.

And there is NOTHING in the US Constitution (The Bill Of Rights are the first 10 amendments) that says it is illegal to burn a US Flag.

Interesting tidbit...the only proper way to dispose of a US Flag is to burn it.

Poindexter

YES, unless a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

rizinoutlaw

legal yes, should you no. But if you do, by all means, please do it in front of a US marine!

Pagan Dan

Yes. However, just because someone has the legal right to do something doesn't mean that the thing ought to be done.

Banks have the right to foreclose widows with babies in the middle of winter, but that doesn't mean that it is a good thing to do.

Why anyone, regardless of his or her opinion of the USA or its government, would deliberately try to anger and offend others is beyond me. The flag has very deep and symbolic meaning for a lot of good people.

You also have the right to cut up a cross, or burn a Star of David. Does that mean you should, just because you can?

Beth

Yes, it's covered by the first amendment as freedom of expression.

Mr. Happy

If the flag is yours then no it is not illegal to burn the flag. It certainly is unpatriotic but not illegal. You are protected under the 1st amendment. It is considered symbolic speech and will never be illegal because that would be unconstitutional.

LvL ?? Assassin

Yes it is, but you would probably get beaten by alot of americans who have no respect for peoples oppinions.....

Mike D

its extremely disrespectful unless the flag is damaged and folded in the proper way for burning.

Mayflower

Unfortunately yes :(
But be warned anyone who does it in front of me.

nineteen_questions

It is according to The Constitution and The Bill of Rights.

modoodoo76

Yes. Obviously, it's the preferred way to dispose of an old/damaged one, but it's also protected as a form of speech under the First Amendment. See Texas v. Johnson (link below).

Zevon

It is legal to burn the flag, and has been ruled in numerous court cases that is is a protected 1st amendment right.

However, every few years, especially during elections, it comes up in congress where they want to make new law that makes it illegal. It is just politicians pandering to get votes

The flag is only a symbol, but the constitution IS the United States. So it would seem more logical to let the few idiots burn a piece of cloth, and exercise their 1st ammendment rights, then to tear up the constitution, which is a more sacred document, and protects those rights.

coolrockboy380

Burning a flag (provided you are the owner of the flag, and you are burning it in a place where flame is allowed) is considered to be a form of expression that is protected by the first amendment.
Attempts to legislate bans on flag burning have been overturned by the courts.
Every so often, someone tries to introduce a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning, but it never really goes anywhere.

Yahoo Answer Angel

If you own it, yep. If it's mine, I'm pressing charges or going vigilante on you.

bishop7n

its completely legal under the 1st amendment of the constitution and hey if its not illegal the government if they want to yell or arrest you for it then maybe they should pull there heads outta there asses and look at there shitty *** country and try to make America what its supposed to be and not a sing of a war hungry oil driven country who's president is sitting in his chair with a big red button and saying what part of the world should i **** up next!

J P

It was illegal to desecrate the flag in 48 states, until the Supreme Court found that burning the flag in protest was protected as Free Speech in 1989. The case is Texas v. Johnson, and Wikipedia has a good entry on it if you're interested.

soundmanchild

Yes. The great thing about the USA is your RIGHT to exercise your 1st amendment. The primitive patriotism of anger towards flag burners goes against the principles of the Bill of Rights. In reality, you should be happy that in this country you can speak and protest the goverment.

Remember, the goverment works for you. They get their power from the governed. It is our duty to as Americans to not allow any laws that hinder our freedoms.

Land of the FREE and home of the BRAVE! It takes courage to stand and burn the flag, whether you agree with the action or not. It is also a way of making a statement without saying a word.

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Mr. Dead

not that i know of?

Susan of Locksley

Yeah... I don't really suggest doing that in public, you have to go to court and all that jazz... Its basically a sign that you hate the usa.

Napalm84

I believe it is not in the U.S.

Bomani T

No, you fcuking Communist rabbit.

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