Gun Control Laws

[Archon]

If you were writing federal gun laws, what would they look like? Would you ban certain types of firearms? Would you more closely regulate who was purchasing guns and ammuntion? Would you require registration or classes for gun ownership? Are you happy with current gun laws or would you decrease (or increase) government involvement in the whole process?
Do you currently own any guns or are you considering a firearm purchase? If so, why? If not, why not?

 

[Black King]

theres really no need for anything stronger than rubber bullets or beanbags in the hands of civilian weapon stories. Guns are self-defense that is not a license for overkill. you really don't need semi-automatic weapons or high powered ammo for home defense.

 

[Rampage]

I would allow nearly complete access to guns with certain restrictions based on level of training and screening available.

Bolt action, non-semi or automatic long weapons, including shotguns. --For hunting definitely, shotgun great for home defense. I would allow strong registration rules but open access to these weapons.

Revolvers, semiautomatic handguns, and semiautomatic rifles-- Some uses, for sure, but mostly for offensive weaponry. Federal screening, licensure, registration, and a course in their use of not less than 6 hours duration in which safety, proper use and applicable local, state and federal laws are discussed in detail.

Automatic weapons, specialized ammunition (exposive,armor-defeating, etc), etc.--No real civilian use. I would restrict these greatly, allowing them to be purchased and owned but only under the strictest of rules, training, and screening. If a person could go through that exhaustive level of screening, then they are fine with me.

Something like that is what I'm thinking, just off the top of my head...

 

[Karma]

honestly, this kind of thing makes my head hurt lol, but for me the obvious things would include: NO access to firearms of any kind for any reason for convicted felons even if they are released from prison.

anyone interested in a gun takes a gun safety class and must get certified in the knowledge and understanding of how to keep a gun safe in the house especially if children are present.

everyone who wishes to purchase a gun and isnt excluded because of a prior criminal record is screened both for background AND a psychological test.

those are the main things i thought of when it came to enhancing gun control laws.

 

[Archon]

In the interest of full disclosure, I own a few guns. I'm fairly new to firearms. I've only been shooting for a few years, but I recently got my Concealed Carry Permit (even though I don't carry). My wife, on the other hand, grew up getting bullets in her stocking.
I'm in favor of almost no restrictions on gun ownership. There is no law that states that guns are solely for hunting or self-defense. I even like the fact that if our government ever goes off the deep end they know they could face an armed rebellion.
That being said, I don't mind back ground checks. Felons don't need guns. I'm not opposed to the idea of training, or obtaining a liscense, being required to purchase an automatic weapon. I don't like the idea of registration though. If the government knows I have guns, they can confiscate those guns.
I know I probably sound like one of those lunatic fringe gun nuts, but I'm really not. I just prefer that government be involved in my life as little as possible.

 

[Seer]

My mother's husband has several guns as well. He doesnt come across as a crazy "Ted Nugent" gun enthusiast type though. He and his father hunt together and have done so for years. I dont believe he has his CCW permit.

I hear the argument of "i prefer the government to be involved in my life as little as possible" alot from republicans who are gun advocates but the irony is that most of these same people want the government to "abolish abortion" which would put the government VERY MUCH "in the life" of your wife and any other woman...republican or not.

there are other countries around the world with gun control in effect, such as England and no one seems to be suffering there. I realize that having a weapon to protect yourself or your family/home is reasonable but there are so many OTHER instances where guns are just not needed.

ultimately my biggest change would be to insure that criminals/felons never get guns. period. everyone else is screened , required to take training/certification and has to take a psych test.

 

[Archon]

ultimately my biggest change would be to insure that criminals/felons never get guns. period.

But they will. I'm not sure of a way around it. More laws won't stop a criminal. They're a criminal because they have broken a law already. We can do due diligence by running a background check, but that's very easy to get around. I suppose you could make private sale of firearms illegal. I've got a couple of guns that I've purchased privately and there's no background check or record of any kind for a transaction like that.

I hear the argument of "i prefer the government to be involved in my life as little as possible" alot from republicans who are gun advocates but the irony is that most of these same people want the government to "abolish abortion" which would put the government VERY MUCH "in the life" of your wife and any other woman...republican or not.

Not trying to derail the thread here, but I did want to offer an alternative explanation. If you believe that life begins at conception then of course you want to protect that life. So pro-life activists don't see this as any more intrusive than laws prohibiting murder, manslaughter, child abuse/neglect, etc.
Back on topic. What do you think about the mayor of Chicago threatening to tax ammunition to the point where it's prohibitively expensive? He's basically saying, "You want guns? Fine. I'll take your ammountion."