Can books be made illegal in the U.S.?

Question

I heard the other day that there are some books that are illegal in the U.S. Is that true? And if it is how is it constitutional?

Answer 1

Not really. Freedom of expression and freedom of the presses means that, with a few carefully defined exceptions, you can print, sell, and possess, just about whatever you like. There's a group that makes a lot of hay out if its annual "banned books list", but all this really accounts for is attempts by private citizens to get certain books removed from public school curricula or public libraries.

There is *no* official list of books which are illegal per se, though there are things which it is illegal to produce, i.e. child pornography, libelous material, incitements to commit violence, etc. But with the exception of the first, it's legal to own just about any book.

Answer 2

I don't think that is true--unless something printed is dangerous, it shouldn't be banned, and even if it is dangerous (like a book on bombmaking with household items), it is probably still allowed to exist, unless it actually encourages you to use them against the government (which would be treason, inciting an armed revolt against the government) rather than free speech.

You do hear of 'banned books' in the US, but they are normally not banned by the federal government. A banned book in the US usually refers to one that has been excluded from a locality's libraries due to content, banned from a school system, or something like that. Those types of bans are normally local. The books are still available for you to buy, and I don't think there are any books that are illegal to own. And of course there are always black lists put out by religious and other organizations of books that run counter to their ideology, but those lists have nothing to do with the law.

Answer 3

Sorry not to answer your question the way you expect it. Previous answers you got sound good to me. But if ever you are interested in the subject of censorship in general, then I let you know a about a surprising fact I incidentally stumbled across it some days ago.

I live in France and I noticed that there is no way to find in this country neither a French translation, nor an English version of the famous best seller Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand.

I didn't attempt to order it on amzon.com as yet, but all French bookstores I visited, including the two best known English and American bookstores in Paris answered to me that they didn't have it on shelf and couldn't order it!

Surprising, isn't it?

Answer 4

right this is what i might do. to sidestep deportation for ever and develop right into a citizen. a million. Pay $10,000 in line with person in a kinfolk and $2000 in line with toddler below 18. (unlawful has to intend some thing) 2. discover ways to communicate English and accomplish that while in public leaving community language for abode. 3. Or volunteer to serve a minimum of w years interior the US militia for instant music to citizenship for self and spouce. 4. Take instructions as properly ESL to learn skills previous identifying on strawberries or lettuce to velocity up skill of citizenship. centred visitor workers who arrived formerly and are unlawful yet are effective and contributing could have precedence over beginners. those committing crimes at any time for the time of the era from arrival to citizenship would be deported right this moment as will their families. some say that 10 grand is basically too a lot. Is it too a lot for a Coyote to get them over the border? they are in a position to get a loan. in the event that they do no longer pay it returned than they're deported devoid of wish of return. Incentives to artwork. infants born of dad and mom who're no longer voters shouldn't unavoidably be voters. that could desire to be desperate on a case by utilising case foundation by utilising INS.

Answer 5

i'd imagine certain terrorist texts are illegal - as terrorism is illegal, books that promote and incite terrorism would fall under the same law

some books are also banned from schools and libraries