QUOTE (Zaranthan @ Aug 18 2011, 02:49 AM)

My favorite interpretation of the Restricted Versus Forbidden debate is that Forbidden items EXIST, therefore SOMEBODY must be able to possess them. The licenses and SINs associated with such items are more carefully scrutinized, but fakes are, by definition, obtainable.
A HMG might be enough probable cause for Lone Star to cuff you and take you downtown for a full biometric analysis, but to simply declare a GM Fiat that possessing an F-Rated item is automatically an indictable offense makes a lot of the sixth world unworkable. Otherwise, LS would be shutting down Ares assembly plants left right and center. Ares can produce F-Rated items, therefore F-Rated objects are legal for SOMEBODY to own. You just need the paperwork (or cyberwork) to say that you're one of them.
The law is defined by the governement, Forbidden items are Forbidden in places covered by National law. In corp enclaves, they make the rules. A corp employee can have any tech the corp feels is necessary as long as they stay on corp property. if they get caught by the law outside, the corp lawyers may simply end up bailing the offender and relocating him to another nation.
Your runner guy who doesn't actually have this corporate backing, is pretty much hosed if he gets caught by the cops, unless he fights his way out of the police station and gets himself on the UCAS most wanted list. Basically, if you want F rated gear, you better take precautions not to get caught...
If he gets caught on corp territory, well...