More pro-gun lefties
They really do warm the cockles of my heart. Rick DeMent writes:
I have a strict rule, never mess with anything dangerous if you don’t know anything about it. This is why I don’t own a gun (it’s also why I don’t have a pet cobra). It’s not that I don’t like guns or that I fear guns, in the hands of someone trained in their use, who does not have evil intentions, they are a useful tool. But guns and politics don’t mix, unless you leading the revolution.
Which is why I have always thought the Assault Weapons ban is pretty stupid. Even my limited knowledge of firearms informs me that there are guns far more powerful available to anyone who whishes to own one then those banned under the AWB. Say Uncle is doing a check of left leaning types that think that the AWB is bad policy and I just thought I would count myself among them. (sic)
There’s more worth reading. Additionally, Rick’s co-blogger Dietz Smith writes in the same post:
Just wanted to let Uncle know that I have been very pro-gun as long as I can remember. I’m not completely convinced the Second Amendment grants all citizens the right to bear arms without restrictions and what’s more I don’t care. This is a right we have, as a nation, appropriated for our selves and as such would be foolish to give up.
Not all citizens, just those that aren’t criminals, insane, etc. And I don’t oppose all restrictions either. I oppose infringements. I don’t, for example, oppose registration. I oppose it to the extent it can be used as a means of confiscation. And I don’t oppose background checks. I also don’t oppose requiring licenses for concealed carry since said licenses are issued typically after competence with a gun is demonstrated.
I do oppose bans. I do oppose portions the 1934 National Firearms Act (taxing a right is illegal); the Hughes Amendment (limiting machine gun purchases to those made prior to 1986 is an infringement); and the Assault Weapons Ban (it bans arbitrary features). And I think every state should have shall-issue concealed carry permits.
July 20th, 2004 at 9:08 pm
taxing a right is illegal
That could get stretched pretty far. For instance, newspapers and other means of communication are taxed. Going to court requires filing fees, etc. You could also argue that the wages that people who work for gun manufacturers, newspapers, ISPs, etc. and corporate taxes for these companies should be exempt from tax if you say that taxing a right is illegal..but I would think its taking things too far.
July 20th, 2004 at 9:28 pm
I should have been more clear, taxing a right to the point where excercising it is burdensome is illega (like a $200 tax in 1934 dollars or poll taxes).
July 21st, 2004 at 7:36 am
The $200 tax stamp, in current dollars, and given current full auto prices, is negligible.
The really odious part of the NFA is having to get permission from the BATFE before one can purchase a full auto firearm.
July 21st, 2004 at 10:30 am
When is the act going to be punished rather than the object?
A criminal by definition will not or does not obey laws.
Therefore;any law that restricts the ownership of an object will never work.
Lets repeat for those of you that went to government schools:Criminals don’t obey laws.
No other ammendment has the words”Shall not be infringed”in it what part of that don’t you understand.If I wish to do something today that involves the use of a firearm ie.rob a bank,murder someone,all the laws(20,000 on the books today)will not stop me.
Robbing a bank,killing someone ect.are in and of themselves illegal acts.
Try to punish the act not the object.
Gun control doesn’t work,this a fact.if it did,there would be no crime in England,Washington D.C. would be the safest city in the U.S.How long is it going to take before we as a country realise this?