As a matter of fact, I just got finished filling out the paperwork so the government can tell the store that it is ok for me to go turkey hunting this weekend ;)
The problem lies in where to draw the line on the restrictions for ownership.
Once any restriction, even the current ones, are in place, it becomes too easy to add on to them and too hard to loosen them. Many places already require that "need" be shown for ownership or carry.
IMO (and the opinion of others), purchasing a single-shot, bolt, or semi-auto firearm should be as simple as buying a gallon of milk.
The restrictions and penalties should lie with those that misuse the firearm. It has been shown in every case that I have ever heard of that when you make it hard(er) to legally own a firearm, it does absolutely nothing to discourage the illegal acquistion of same.
However, if laws are enforced, such as the laws in some states that make the carrying of a firearm during the commission of a felony automatically punishable by 5 or more years in prison, then you do see a decrease in the number of firearms being carried by low-level and first time criminals.
In other words, law abiding gun-owners and potential gun-owners should not get punished with increased paperwork and wait times simply because a small number of gun owners break the law. Punish the guilty, not the innocent. |
