[quote=enron_by_the_sea]
(a) Should certain firearms have no utility in civilan hands? ( We can do better job on defining them)
(b) Should we allow high capacity magazines?
(c) Should we allow sales over the internet?
(d) should there be waiting periods and background checks and mental health checks before you are allowed to buy certain firearms?
(e) Should we mandate locks where kids are in the house?
(f) Should there be electronic registry of certain firearms?
(g) Should we hold manufacturers and owners liable for bad conduct?
(h) Should we mandate certain design changes in firearms sold to civilians?
(f) Should we regulate private party sales and gun-shows more tightly?
(g) What purpose does “pen-carry” serve?
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Enron: Thanks for the reasoned response, and we are probably closer on this issue than apart. In terms of your list above, it would appear that (a) and (h) are somewhat connected, especially when it comes to “military-style” assault weapons. The main design change (and the most important) is that these weapons are semi-automatic, versus the full-auto versions found in the military. While there is a legitimate question concerning whether or not the average citizen should own one, I would point out that, statistically speaking, these weapons are among the most popular in the country, but are involved in a miniscule number of deaths/murders each year. This brings up the question of whether or not to ban them would have any material effect at all.
(b) I’m not for limiting magazine size and for two reasons: (1) It’s a personal responsibility issue and (2) The Clinton-era ban showed zero efficacy in this regard (lower capacity weapons didn’t lessen crime rate or casualties).
(c) Absolutely not. I have no problem with ammo sales over the internet, but NOT gun sales. On this topic, it’s my understanding that one has to pick up the purchased weapon at an ATF licensed dealer and fill out an ATF 4473
(d) Yes, all states should have a waiting period. As far as background checks go, the ATF 4473 is submitted electronically to NICS, which is a national criminal database. How successfully this system works is unknown to me. The 4473 does query you regarding mental health issues, but I’m fairly certain that there is NOT a national database for this. There should be, IMHO.
(e) Absolutely, yes.
(f) Oh, hell no. What weapons I own and where they’re kept is NONE of the government’s business.
(g) Manufacturers, no; owners, yes.
(i) Yes, more needs to be done, especially in the case of gun shows. This is a huge problem and the ATF is under-manned in this regard. I attend gun shows infrequently, but have seen some pretty hair-raising stuff, especially in the parking lots. This definitely needs to change.
(j) I presume you meant “open carry”? I actually don’t have a problem with this and, to me, this falls under the personal responsibility category. If someone wants to openly carry a firearm and they’re responsible in terms of safety, let ’em. I’ve seen plenty of open carry in Arizona, Texas and Florida, and I’d imagine there is quite a deterrent effect when you come right down to it.
I’d offer up a personal observation on this as well. A shooting buddy of mine is a former Marine Recon sniper. Dude is into serious distance shooting and has a stable of sniper rifles, including a Barrett .50cal BMG. Some of these rifles are used for deer/elk/moose hunting, but the rest of them, including the Barrett, are strictly for range work. This guy is as law-abiding as it gets and has done three tours of Iraq/Afghanistan when he was in the Marines. Among my former Army buddies (mostly all former Rangers), there are dozens of weapons that would terrify your average street cop, but are only used on the range. My point is this: Personal accountability and responsibility for these weapons and their use was drummed into all of us, either when we were kids, or when we were in the military. I’ve taught both my son and daughter how to use a weapon, including very stringent safety procedures, and have no worries whatsoever when it comes to them and weapons. I also keep the weapons in a locked gun safe and the ammo is separate. I trust them, but I also take no chances, either.
