Moderator: Dictators in Training
Maeya wrote:And then your head just aches from having your hair pulled so tight for so long...
Eziekial wrote:What an abhorrent idea; limiting rights based on some precondition. What's the standard for responsible? Who gets to set said standards? Why not have one for voting? If you name the candidates then you have to go through "voter education" so you don't misuse your right to vote. God forbid you voted for someone just because you like the way the name looks....
Why not have one for voting? If you name the candidates then you have to go through "voter education" so you don't misuse your right to vote. God forbid you voted for someone just because you like the way the name looks
Arlos wrote:Personally, I think that, given the 2nd amendment, everyone has the right to own guns.
But, just like freedom of speech is limited in that you cannot directly advocate violence, yell "FIRE" in a crowded theater, or threaten the president, etc. because of the health risks involved, there needs to be SOME limit on the right to own firearms, as improperly handled, stored and cared for, they DO represent a risk.
I would propose the following, then:
1) Any non-felon and non-mentally-ill person may buy and own firearms.
2) Anyone wishing to take firearms home must pass a written safety exam, as well as a practical one. These exams should cost no more than is necessary to cover the cost of giving the exam, and may be given at either police stations or licensed gun ranges, etc. Note that no class shall be necessary to take the test, as many people get adequate training from relatives, parents, etc. Also, veterans and honorably quit ex-police are exempt from this requirement, as they will have had FAR more training than is necessary to pass such a test.
3) Police departments and licensed gun ranges should offer safety and ownership training classes at some nominal fee for those who need the training to pass the above test.
4) Anyone who does not fulfill item #2 above may own any number of guns they wish, but may not keep them at home, in their car, or any other private setting until they do. They may have them stored at a firing range, police precinct, or similar location.
5) Make the owner of a gun equally legally responsible for anything that happens with that gun, unless it is stolen and reported as such. Don't lock the gun up properly, and your kid finds it and shoots and kills himself? You're up on manslaughter charges, as the gun was YOUR responsibility, and you failed.
There. Anyone and everyone (except for felons and crazy people) can own as many firearms as they like, even if they are utterly irresponsible with them, they just can't keep them at home. No one who can prove they know gun safety has to take a class, and those who can't prove it, and thus would be dangerous, must GET such a class so they know what they're doing before they can put anyone at risk with their firearm(s).
I don't see how this presents any barrier for any legitimate, safe owner, nor do I consider the hoops necessary to jump through to be more than extremely minorly limiting upon the basic right, and ensures greater public safety by having provably safe gun owners, as well as stiffened penalties for those who ARE unsafe with them in practice, after deterministically proving they should know better by passing the test.
I can't see at all how this would be objectionable, honestly, no matter how much of a gun fan you are, unless for some reason you like the idea of unsafe owners....
-Arlos
Eziekial wrote:1. Rights are above authority, hence rights and not privileges.
2. The 2nd amendment is a check against tyranny. History has shown time and time again that an unarmed people are at the whims of those in power. Just because your candidate go elected today, does not mean he/she will be elected tomorrow. The fact that you are quick to jump on the "voter education" bandwagon shows just how much faith we have in our fellow man in choosing our leaders.
Eziekial wrote:1. Rights are above authority, hence rights and not privileges.
2. The 2nd amendment is a check against tyranny. History has shown time and time again that an unarmed people are at the whims of those in power. Just because your candidate go elected today, does not mean he/she will be elected tomorrow. The fact that you are quick to jump on the "voter education" bandwagon shows just how much faith we have in our fellow man in choosing our leaders.
Eziekial wrote:1. Rights are above authority, hence rights and not privileges.
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