What's Wrong With Gun Registration?

[SecularMotion]

I live in Maryland, whose nickname is the "Free State," and I am no less free because of the laws in my state require registration of handguns and prohibit the more dangerous varieties of firearms, magazines and ammunition. In fact, I feel more free because I have less fear of being blown away, freedom and all, than I would have if guns were less regulated.

Very few people have serious objections to registration of activities in many other contexts; we register our cars, dogs, bicycles, burglar alarms, births, deaths, marriages and our kids into schools every day. Even with no military draft, we have draft registration. Many people have totally given up on privacy in giving any information to businesses. But guns are treated differently. Why? One reason is that we are inundated by demands that we do so from loud gun proponents stirred up and financed by a cynical commercial gun lobby. Another is we all have at least a little bit of rebellion in us and we can dream of throwing off the restraints of civilization and of running wild.

But we should not forget that this dream is a dream of going back to the state of nature and, as every one knows, the state of nature is where life is "nasty, brutish and short." It certainly was short for the twenty children and six teachers who died at Sandy Hook Elementary School and the thirty thousand or so who died from gun incidents last year.

The slogan or talking point "registration always leads to confiscation" has been taken up and repeated so many times that it seems impossible to trace its origin. Of course, law enforcement agencies, whether tyrannical or benign, have seized illegal items as part of their duties throughout history; but the picture being painted by gun zealots is of "jack-booted thugs" from the federal government taking the tools of liberty from true patriots. An example of this is currently happening in New York State where the SAFE Act requires registration of assault weapons. Many owners are being reported as unwilling to comply.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-harvey/gun-registration_b_5186200.html

I don't understand why this post was locked in GD, but the hosts suggest that it be posted in GDP

Update:
At this point I've had 3 hosts reply all saying to leave it locked.

One host mentioned your option to bring up the topic in the GDP forum and since Ms Clinton spoken on the issue this seems like a good option.

[safeinOhio]

1. As a gun owner, I support

registration of all handguns, including mine.

If you think it will make confiscation easier for Uncle Sam, the biggest list of gun owners, and that list is for sale to anyone with $, is the list of NRA members.

[TheBlackAdder]

2. Unless the government snatches hundreds of millions in a day, a smaller amount signals a gun grab!

.


If the government is going to 'take our guns' they will have to do it in one massive swoop!


Unfortunately, more than half of the police and military are 2nd Amendment supporters.
The chance that a large effort could be planned without its leakage is not possible.


This claim of a gun grab is complete bullshit that appeals to the low-thinking conspiracy types!


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[LonePirate]

4. What is the basis for your claim that 1/2 of police & military support 2A?

By that, I am guessing you mean completely unfettered access to own and carry as many guns as they want. Was there a study or poll or report?

[Vinca]

3. Weird - definitely seems more suited to GD, but I guess they have a "no guns" policy.

I also find it weird that in this forum you can only post about the Democratic primary. Too many rules.