So, why not regulate guns the way we regulate cars?

[cynatnite]

You have to have a license to own a gun. You have to carry insurance just like a car. You have to register it and keep it updated yearly...just like a car. You have to take a class in order to own a gun. You have to watch the horrific aftermath of shootings just like we did when we were in school.

Why not do to guns what we do to cars? In 2004 there were over 200 million cars in the US. I've heard that there are 300 million guns i the US.

I'm sure this notion will get shot down quick enough, but I've heard worse ideas than this.

[we can do it]

1. Makes perfect sense to me

[NYC_SKP]

2. It's a start.

In my state there's a 15 day waiting period, I think.

But there's no requirement for a safety course or some of the other measures that would, I think, be helpful.

Lhi:

[mainstreetonce]

4. No gun sales by private individuals

Or over the internet

[snappyturtle]

3. I am with you and suggested the same thing. Just because we own a car

doesn't mean we can safely drive it.

[axetogrind]

5. I am a gun owner

and that makes perfect sense to me. The state I live in won't allow me to register my firearms, I tried and they turned me away saying that it was against state law. Crazy.

[SpartanDem]

6. Is there really need for people register yearly?

Last edited Mon Dec 17, 2012, 04:06 AM - Edit history (1)

people tend to keep guns for a very long time. Of course you should have to update for a change of address or a transfer. Otherwise I agree with you

[RomneyLies]

8. Yes, annual psychiatric exams. n/t

[RomneyLies]

7. Because doing so would harm the delicate sensibilities of those who support the Right to Kill Babies

and Adults.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

9. The classic refutation is: What other enumerated rights do you need

training, licenses, insurance, or psych check to exercise? Its a valid question that deserves some thought and not a knee jerk response that some will toss out as they drive by.

That said I agree that some training should be required. I have seen some very scary things as a firearms instructor. Not sure how much or of what type, but some is clearly called for.

I also think training should be mandatory for small children. Safety focus to make sure they get an adult and get curious with a gun with tragic adults. Again not sure what form it should take, but it should be there.

I think it is reasonable to require that all firearms not in use/being transported/cleaned etc be secured. California is a bit stupid on parts of this, but it is still the right thing

It think that a NICS check or equivalent should be required for all transfers. Federal law prevents that on private transactions and that needs to change. My current preference is FOID kind of document that you get at 18 if you qualify. The check is basically "Is the FOID currently valid" Easier, faster and cheaper to ALCON. Again a concept I support though the details may need some work.

We need better mental health feedback into the NICS system or equivalent. Again not sure what the parameters would be, but right now its not working.

In summary, its not clear that a car is the correct analogy, but there does not seem to be any good ones anyway. Some want to use the right to vote, but it is no better. Clearly some training, storage, and checks need to be done/done better IMO. All of this clearly needs further work.

[Llewlladdwr]

10. Get back to me when the right to own and operate a car is protected by the Bill of Rights. n/t

[beevul]

11. Thats not really what you want, is it?

No license or insurance is required to own a car.

No license or insurance is required to drive a car, on private property.

We let kids as young as 14 in some states get licenses to drive in public. You want that for guns?

No background checks are required to buy a car at retail, and none required for face to face car sales.

One is not required to to register a car and keep it updated yearly UNLESS one wishes to drive it on public roads.

One is not required to take a class in order to own a car.

It is false equivalency, and a dangerous one at that.

[Honeycombe8]

12. Nah. There will just be an underground market developed. No one is going to buy ins. for a gun...

or register it every year.

Guns are different from cars. Cars are huge metal lethal weapons that people drive on the streets every day, out in public, legally. Guns are kept in homes, taken to target ranges and gun shows, and sometimes not shot for months or years, and sometimes never. Most guns are not out in public, on the streets, and definitely not being used in public.

If the GC laws get too strict, a black market will develop, like the drug black market and the booze market during prohibition.