"Ms Brown," said the attorney, "please demonstrate the action that has brought you here today." "I can't," Ms Brown said. She was tall and muscled. Even sitting in the witness stand, she seemed imposing. "It's not safe."

"If it's not safe," said the lawyer, "why should you get to wander around in public with this ability?"

"Well, it's safe when used responsibly."

"So you can't use it responsibly?"

"That's not—" Ms Brown took a breath. "It would be irresponsible to use it here. Um, without safety precautions."

"What sort of... precautions?"

One short conference with the judge later, the bailiffs cleared the room of spectators and found ear protection for everyone else. At the judge's nod, Ms Brown focused on the block of wood they'd brought in as the subject. A moment later, a wave of concussive force rocked the viewers back, and the block of wood flew to the floor. Even with ear protection, the sound hurt. Officers burst in a moment later, guns drawn, looking for a gunman.

"Very like a firearm," said the lawyer. "You can see why the Second Amendment protects Ms Brown from punishment or discrimination based on this ability, whatever its origin and nature."