> How about if we change Jan's statement to something like: > > C) everyone [who wants to own a gun and who has not been convicted of a > violent crime or diagnosed with a serious mental or emotional illness] > should [be allowed to choose to] have a gun. > > Can we all agree with that? >
No. I would want them to demonstrate that they know how to handle the gun and have them pledge to keep it safely locked up except when being used for hunting, target practice, etc. I would also require them to purchase insurance against any misuse of the gun - by them or by anyone else. And I would increase the penalties for misuse of guns, even accidental. You have to have insurance to operate a car, and a license - surely we can and should require no less for guns. And I would still change the laws that make it possible for anyone to drive to Virginia, buy as many guns as they want, and then go home. Or to sell them at totally unregulated gun shows where they don't even check to see that the purchaser is not a criminal or mentally ill. Tom Beck www.prydonians.org www.mercerjewishsingles.org "I always knew I'd see the first man on the Moon. I never dreamed I'd see the last." - Dr Jerry Pournelle _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
