RULES

1. This is a private forum - This forum is the private forum(s) for Sempratus.com. Registration is required for access, and entry into the forum is conditional upon acceptance and adherence to the posted rules. In short, this is private property and will be treated as such. We will try to be good hosts, and we ask simply that you return the favor as our guests.
2. Do not advocate for violence - The Non-Aggression Principle is perhaps the core principle of this site. If you don't believe in or abide by it, to each his own, but this forum will not give you a voice to do so here. If you disagree with this, stick around, don't talk about it and try to learn about why this rule exists (Spoiler Alert: We are in a PR war for the biggest faction on the sidelines, "Normie"s. Let's win them over, not drive them to the dark side.) The one potential exception for this rule will be a thread in the "Agora" forum if there is enough interest in debating this topic. A specific rule will be established if this moves forward. This rule also includes verbal abuse of fellow forum members. Arguments are fine but verbal abuse is not. Abusing Mods/Admins is an instant ban. Becoming a piece of shit that abuses people working for free to make your experience better, takes the effort of choosing to down that path. Take the easier path and don't make that choice.
3. No trolling. If you troll, you will be banned immediately, no exceptions. This is intended to be a serious group, for serious folk and should be treated as such.
4. No porn, illegal file sharing, etc. - We don't need the hassle, and you aren't hurting for places that offer these services, so go do it somewhere else.
5. No Firearms sales. - We aren't lawyers and that is a heavily regulated area. We hate the ATF just as much as you do, but that hate doesn't play legal bills if someone does something stupid. For anyone that criticizes this, risk your entire livelihood over something someone else might do in one of your hobby projects. If you think that's a good idea, you are irredeemably stupid.
6. Don't advocate illegal activities (period) - Don't encourage or advise others to undertake illegal activities. This isn't a secure forum and the fact that this rule is necessary is a damning statement on OPSEC in this corner of the internet. There are certainly topics that will be discussed that will only necessarily be legal if the current authorities are removed. Those "what if" or "plan for" scenarios are fine, as long as they are explicitly presented as such. Encouraging or endorsing juvenile illegal activities is a great way to catch the focus of .gov, so don't be that stupid.
7. Rule Changes - These rules are set solely at the Admin's discretion and are subject to change at any time. Ya' know, the whole private property thing.

Rule Violations 

Punishment for violations is at the sole discretion of the Mods/Admins. At this time, all bans will be issued by Admin's only (Mod's may submit Users for ejection) and the decisions will be final.

We do not currently have a DM system in place. Depending on the growth of the forum, that feature may be added in the future. Until that time, if you need assistance, please tag an Admin/Mod. They can be found in this thread.

Forum Culture

We are aiming to form an information-driven culture in this forum. Facts don't care about your feelings, so prepare to be challenged. We were heavily influenced by Primary & Secondary and believe that their model is the best in class. Our goal is to emulate that model, so please make note of the following guidance regarding our culture here:

• It's big boy rules on this range. If you have to be moderated, adjust course because you probably aren't long for this forum.
• Opinions vs Fact. Understand the difference between the two. Statements should be supported by facts or relevant experience. Opinions are fine but do not try to pass off opinion as authoritative unless you have established your credibility/credentials on the subject. Not every member is equal.
• No drive-by comments. Your intent and message should be somewhat clear. Explain yourself. This is a forum, not Twitter.
• Interactions with others (It's a two-way range). Set the tone for your interactions and respect the chosen tone. If someone wants to have a wholesome conversation, let them. If someone wants to engage in some verbal judo, send it. Keep it above the belt, and don't belittle the person or use any other elementary garbage. Attack the idea, not the person.
• LE/MIL - Individuals will be judged solely on their merits as an individual and not on their chosen careers. Many individuals in these fields are best in class subject matter experts and have valuable experience that they freely share. We would be fools to exclude or drive them from our community. This does not make them free from criticism, but please direct the criticism to specifics and do not carpet bomb careers. That said, the militarization of American police is the greatest single threat to liberty we face today. Just as criticism will be directed to the individual level, or philosophically at the policy level, respect will be issued in the same manner, ie earned at the individual level.
• Don't belittle a "stupid" question - We are all a product of our education. Not everyone has had the same education. Be welcoming to those who may be new, or have not had the same education. Help them out teach them, don't belittle them.
• Grill the sacred cows - Don't go down with your ship and don't defend an idea/premise/position/etc that has been disproven. Admit that you might have been wrong, made an emotional/bad decision, learn and move forward. The only unredeemable man is one that refuses to abandon a refuted position. Don't let an error become a mistake. Learn and grow.