Are free inhabitants a real thing in the United States?

free inhabitants a real thing in the United States

The concept of “free inhabitants” or “sovereign citizens” is not recognized in the United States legal system. The term is used by a small group of people who believe they are not subject to U.S. laws and do not have to pay taxes or obey other legal obligations.

The FBI describes sovereign citizens as “anti-government extremists who believe that even though they physically reside in this country, they are separate or ‘sovereign’ from the United States”. The Sovereign Citizens movement is an anti-government ideology originating in the United States.

The term “free inhabitants” was used in the United States Constitution to refer to people who were not slaves.

yes, there are people that mistakenly believe they are free inhabitants. there was a clause in the articles of confederation that mentioned free inhabitants but the articles of confederation were replaced by the constitution of the united states making the articles obsolete, so there is no basis to they’re claims.

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Are free inhabitants a real thing in the United States?

It appears to be a belief based on a misunderstanding of what the Articles of Confederation says, combined with other selective readings of the law.

Answer: No, “free inhabitant” isn’t really a thing. And the reference in the Articles of Confederation doesn’t mean what people think it actually means. … The Articles of Confederation was written when slavery was widespread. The term basically meant ‘non slave.

The Articles of Confederation says this:

“Article IV. The better to secure and perpetuate mutual friendship and intercourse among the people of the different States in this union, the free inhabitants of each of these States, paupers, vagabonds, and fugitives from justice excepted, shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of free citizens in the several States, and the people of each State shall have free ingress and regress to and from any other State, and shall enjoy therein all the privileges of trade and commerce, subject to the same duties, impositions, and restrictions as the inhabitants thereof respectively…”
— Article IV of the Articles of Confederation (1777)

Let’s break this down a bit.

The concept of “free inhabitants” has been used by a small subset of individuals in the United States who subscribe to certain fringe beliefs or “sovereign citizen” ideologies. These beliefs often involve rejecting the legitimacy of various government institutions and legal authorities. It’s crucial to note that these ideologies have been widely discredited, and individuals who attempt to assert such status may face legal consequences.

Are free inhabitants a real thing in the United States?

Sovereign citizen beliefs typically involve a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of legal concepts, historical documents, and constitutional law. Individuals who identify as sovereign citizens may claim to be “free inhabitants” or may assert other pseudo-legal arguments to justify their refusal to comply with certain laws or regulations.

However, it is important to emphasize that these beliefs have no basis in established legal principles, and attempts to assert such status can lead to legal issues, including fines, penalties, and even imprisonment. Courts in the United States uniformly reject these arguments, and law enforcement agencies are well-aware of these fringe ideologies.

If you encounter information related to “free inhabitants” or sovereign citizen ideologies, it is crucial to approach it with skepticism and consult reliable legal sources. Legal matters should be addressed based on established laws and legal frameworks, and attempting to use fringe ideologies to evade legal responsibilities can have serious consequences. If you have legal questions or concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified legal professional who can provide accurate and reliable advice based on the applicable laws in your jurisdiction.

What is a free inhabitant of the United States?

To meet this danger, the Articles of Confederation included a provision expressly designed “to secure and perpetuate mutual friendship and intercourse among the people of the different States in this Union.” By this rule, the “free inhabitants” of each state would not be foreigners vis-à-vis the others, but instead “

The term “free inhabitant” has been used by a small group of individuals in the United States who subscribe to certain fringe beliefs often associated with sovereign citizen ideologies. These beliefs are based on a misinterpretation or misunderstanding of legal concepts, historical documents, and constitutional law.

Individuals who identify as “free inhabitants” typically reject the authority of various government institutions and may attempt to assert a status that they believe exempts them from certain laws and regulations. They may argue that they are not subject to the jurisdiction of the government and claim a form of personal sovereignty.

Are free inhabitants a real thing in the United States?

It’s crucial to emphasize that the concept of “free inhabitant” or similar terms has no basis in established legal principles or constitutional law. Courts across the United States consistently reject these arguments, and law enforcement authorities do not recognize such claims. Attempting to assert a status as a “free inhabitant” or using similar legal strategies can lead to serious legal consequences, including fines, penalties, and even imprisonment.

It’s important to rely on accurate legal information and consult with qualified legal professionals if you have legal questions or concerns. Sovereign citizen ideologies are widely discredited, and individuals who attempt to use these arguments may face legal challenges and difficulties.

What are free inhabitants in Section 4?

“The better to secure and perpetuate mutual friendship and intercourse among the people of the different States in this Union, the free inhabitants of each of these States, paupers, vagabonds and fugitives from justice excepted, shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of free citizens in the several States; …

there is no specific legal provision or section referred to as “Section 4” that defines or acknowledges the concept of “free inhabitants” in the context of sovereign citizen ideologies or any other legal framework in the United States.

It’s important to clarify that the idea of “free inhabitants” is associated with fringe beliefs and sovereign citizen ideologies, which reject the legitimacy of certain government authorities and laws. Individuals who subscribe to these ideologies may use phrases like “free inhabitants” as part of their attempts to assert a legal status that they believe exempts them from certain legal obligations.

However, these beliefs have been widely discredited, and courts across the United States do not recognize them as valid legal arguments. Law enforcement and legal authorities operate within established legal frameworks, and attempts to assert unconventional legal statuses can lead to legal consequences.

If there have been any changes or developments related to these ideologies or if there is a specific legal context or jurisdiction you are referring to with “Section 4,” it is advisable to consult with legal professionals or reputable sources for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

What is the code 4 free inhabitant?

In the Congress of the Confederation, on the 25th of June, 1778, the fourth article was under discussion. It provided that ‘the free inhabitants of each of these States — paupers, vagabonds, and fugitives from justice excepted — shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of free citizens in the several States.

The phrase “code 4 free inhabitant” is associated with certain fringe ideologies and misconceptions, particularly those held by individuals who identify as sovereign citizens in the United States. These individuals may use such phrases in an attempt to assert a particular legal status or to claim exemption from certain laws or regulations.

It’s important to note that there is no recognized legal concept or “code 4 free inhabitant” in the official legal system of the United States. Law enforcement and legal authorities do not recognize these phrases as valid or legally meaningful. Attempts to assert such status or use similar language in interactions with law enforcement or government officials may lead to legal consequences.

Individuals who adhere to sovereign citizen ideologies often rely on misinterpretations of legal concepts, historical documents, and constitutional law. It is crucial to approach legal matters based on established legal principles and seek advice from qualified legal professionals. If you have concerns about legal issues or require guidance, consulting with an attorney who is knowledgeable in the applicable jurisdiction’s laws is recommended.

Were the Articles of Confederation actually Repealed?

Actually, no, it was never repealed and is still the law. However, anything in the U.S. Constitution that conflicts with the Articles of Confederation would result in whatever the U.S. Constitution says taking precedence.

This is suggested by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the 1869 Texas v. White case, which stated that since the Articles stated “Perpetual Union”, and the Constitution states “More perfect Union”, the perpetuity of the union remains in effect, since the Articles were never actually repealed.

Anything in the Articles of Confederation that does not conflict with the U.S. Constitution is still legally in effect.

Privileges & Immunities

If you read this closely, in context with the rest of the Articles of Confederation, you will find that what it actually says is that states must treat “free inhabitants” from another state the same way they treat “free inhabitants” of their state.

This is similar to how the U.S. Constitution says “The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states” in Article IV, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution.

It even goes onto say “subject to the same duties, impositions, and restrictions as the inhabitants thereof respectively.”

It does not mean states cannot pass laws regulating citizens. What it means is that a state can’t have different laws for citizens and non-citizens. And it indirectly says that states can impose duties, impositions, and restrictions on free inhabitants.

It should also be noted that “free inhabitant” was basically a way of saying “white landowners” and “freedmen.” Slaves, indentured servants, paupers (people getting state assistance), vagabonds (the homeless and nomads), and convicted criminals did not have the same rights as “free inhabitants.”

UAE VS Kuwait

What is an article four free inhabitant?

In the Congress of the Confederation, on the 25th of June, 1778, the fourth article was under discussion. It provided that ‘the free inhabitants of each of these States — paupers, vagabonds, and fugitives from justice excepted — shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of free citizens in the several States.

Are sovereign citizens legal?

Self-described “sovereign citizens” see themselves as answerable only to their particular interpretations of the common law and as not subject to any government statutes or proceedings. In the United States, they do not recognize U.S. currency and maintain that they are “free of any legal constraints”.

Can a sovereign citizen drive without a license?

Often the sovereign citizens don’t bother to pay for their licenses. They feel the right to free movement means they do not need a license. Travel is a right, which is true.

Free Ingress and Regress

You will note that it specifically says “to and from any other State” after “the people of each State shall have free ingress and regress.”

What this means is that states are required to have open borders with other states. They can’t tax imports from another state, and they can’t require people from other states to have a visa to enter.

Notice it says nothing about the state regulating travel within their own state. It just says that free inhabitants are to be “subject to the same duties, impositions, and restrictions as the inhabitants thereof respectively.”

So as long as a state requires its own citizens to have a driver’s license, it can require people from other states to have a driver’s license.

Selective Reading Doesn’t Make It Law

Legal scholars and the courts don’t accept the arguments made in this video, and the few people who try to use this argument don’t get far.

Are free inhabitants a real thing in the United States? 2024

Free inhabitants believe they are free to do whatever they want in the world without following the laws of the land. So this includes things like not having a driver’s license, not getting any license plates, etc.

They get this idea from taking one part of the articles of confederation and basically generalizing them to include everything else so they can say they are a person of the land and thus, don’t have to follow the laws.

The U.S. doesn’t recognize this as having any legitimacy. About the only people that do are the “free inhabitants” themselves.

When they don’t comply with the law, it usually goes like it did in this video.

I’m a free inhabitant, I don’t have to have a driver’s license
starts fighting the police
You’re under arrest
You can’t arrest me, I’m a free inhabitant!
shoved into the police car.

They generally piece together their alleged rights based on out of date laws or opinions which have since been overruled, or picking and choosing different pieces of laws and cases, taking them out of context and trying to use them where they are not applicable.

For the most part, these are people who want to have the benefits of living in the United States without accepting any of the requirements that come with living here. I.e., paying taxes, obeying the laws that apply to everyone else and so on.

This is Article 4 of the Articles of the Federation:

Article IV. The better to secure and perpetuate mutual friendship and intercourse among the people of the different states in this union, the free inhabitants of each of these states, paupers, vagabonds, and fugitives from justice excepted, shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of free citizens in the several states; and the people of each state shall have free ingress and regress to and from any other state, and shall enjoy therein all the privileges of trade and commerce, subject to the same duties, impositions, and restrictions as the inhabitants thereof respectively, provided that such restriction shall not extend so far as to prevent the removal of property imported into any state, to any other state, of which the Owner is an inhabitant; provided also that no imposition, duties or restriction shall be laid by any state, on the property of the united states, or either of them.

The Articles of the Confederation was created in 1777 and ratified by the 13 States in 1781.

The current constitution was ratified in 1788 and replaced the Articles of the Confederation in 1779.

It fixed a lot of the previous issues that the Articles had and gave the Federal Government the power it needed to maintain a union of the states.

I won’t get into much detail on why the Articles were ineffective, because that deserves its own answer.

That said, I can’t stress enough that the Constitution nullified the Articles of Confederation and should be considered a different government than our current one.

That is why we consider General George Washington as our first President, not any of the “Presidents of Congress.” That said, let us pretend that the Articles are still in effect.

Now let us ask, what does the term “Free inhabitants” mean?

Take a look at the US Census data. For 1790, it would collect data on the following categories of those living in the US:

The number of free white males. This was divided into two sub-categories: Free white males under 16 and those over 16.
A number of free white females.
The number of other free persons.
A number of slaves.

Section 4. The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.

Article Four of the United States Constitution outlines the relationship between the various states, as well as the relationship between each state and the United States federal government. It also empowers Congress to admit new states and administer the territories and other federal lands.

Article V says that “on the Application of two thirds of the Legislatures of the several States, [Congress] shall call a Convention for proposing amendments.” The convention can propose amendments, whether Congress approves of them or not. Those proposed amendments would then be sent to the states for ratification.

By 1850, the Census had two schedules:

Schedule Number 1: Free Inhabitants.
Schedule Number 2: Slave Inhabitants.

With this data point, I think it is safe to assume that “Free inhabitant” means “not a slave.”

Thus, the female in the video is correct, she is a “Free inhabitant” (as she is not a slave), but is wrong in the interpretation that the laws do not apply to her.

In fact, Article IV says that “Free inhabitants” will be treated equally, regardless of what state they are in.

Once again, the Articles of the Confederation have been replaced by the Constitution of the United States so the argument is moot.

I wanted this to be short and to the point. Hopefully, this answers your question in a satisfactory way.

Conclusion

No, “free inhabitant” isn’t really a thing. And the reference in the Articles of Confederation doesn’t mean what people think it actually means. Under the AoC, what it actually means is that any free citizen can move between other states and must be treated equally by the other states.

There’s a modern movement of people called “sovereign citizens” who believe that they don’t have to follow the laws of the United States because they never agreed to them and thus, can’t be forced to follow them. It’s a fringe movement that is in no way accepted by any reputable legal expert or scholar.

An individual who enjoys the privileges and rights as an American citizen, but does not want to be held to the same standards and laws as everyone else by claiming that the federal, state, and/or local government does not have jurisdiction over them.

So, what is an article 4 free inhabitant? It’s a reference to the articles of confederation, which is an agreement between the states that predates the constitution. … Presumably, I suppose this means that only people from the original 13 colonies would get to call themselves article 4 free inhabitants.

People can travel freely

Article 4: People can travel freely from state to state; however, criminals who left the state where they committed the crime would be sent back for trial. Article 5: Creates the Congress of the Confederation. … Article 8: Each state government had to raise money to give to the new central government.

States, Citizenship, New States

A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.

Self-described “sovereign citizens” see themselves as answerable only to their particular interpretations of the common law and as not subject to any government statutes or proceedings. In the United States, they do not recognize U.S. currency and maintain that they are “free of any legal constraints”.

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