First the obligatory disclaimer: I am a firm believer in every adult law-abiding citizen having the right and the means and the fortitude to defend himself/herself and his/her family and property.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 392cobra
There would be no firearm registration, serial numbers, criminal records check, waiting periods or paperwork required. So in a short period of time there would be millions and millions of unregistered untraceable guns in Montana. Way to go Montana.
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Freddy, you say that like it is such a good thing. Why?? What is so great about a huge proliferation of unregistered, untraceable guns? I am very familiar with the RKBA issue, so I understand the depth of meaning and emotion that goes along with it, but what I can't get is the black and white polarization - or "us vs. them", all or nothing approach - that many 2A proponents seem to foster.
Can there not be a collaborative approach between good people and the authorities to find common ground on a sensible way to allow
responsible, law abiding adult citizens to exercise their 2A rights while making it as difficult as possible for folks who don't fit that description to posess a gun? I know and agree that gun laws only **directly** affect those who obey the law but there is a deterrent effect and they also make it just that much more difficult for someone of ill-intent who isn't a connected hardcore crook or gang banger to just run out and pick up a few guns and some ammo. The "cooling off" effect of a reasonable due process or wait period may deter a non gun-owner from spontaneously buying a gun to blow away someone who just porked his wife, "disrespected" him or pissed him off in a basketball game.
I also understand that many feel resistering their guns is just a first step towards locating and confiscating them as it seems to have happened in other countries. But bear in mind that none of those countries had a guaranteed right to gun ownership in their constitutions,
AND the acknowledged reality that it would be political suicide for any administration to attempt to ban gun ownership in the USA. How many crimes have been solved and criminals brought to justice because the history of a gun was traceable due to the registration process? Is it possible to reasonably factor into the equation the possible benefits of some sensible gun control measures?
PS; Yeah yeah, I know already - "Gun control is being able to drop a running liberal at 50 yards."
EDIT - PPS; When we finish flogging this one to death, we can deal with "9mm vs. .45" and "open carry vs. concealed." lol!