From: Joe E. Dees (joedees@bellsouth.net)
Date: Fri May 28 1999 - 18:18:21 MDT
Date sent: Thu, 27 May 1999 18:32:13 -0700
From: Doug Jones <random@qnet.com>
To: extropians@extropy.com
Subject: Re: Guns [was Re: property Rights]
Send reply to: extropians@extropy.com
> Joe E. Dees wrote:
> > And both removing guns from the hands of the irresponsible (violent
> > criminals, the mentally deficient and/or deranged, children, spouse
> > and/or child abusers) and preventing them from arriving there is a
> > reasonable, rational and prudent life-protection measure to take.
>
> Joe, I agree that keeping weapons out of the hands of convicted
> felons is often a good idea. Many laws exist which purport to
> support that aim, but they seem to be ineffective. Do you have any
> useful suggestions on how those laws could be enforced such that
> they have some useful positive impact?
>
Universal background checks prior to all transfers, and enforced
penalties for those who, knowing that they're ineligible to purchase
(due to age, violent criminal or abuser record, or documented
mental illness resulting in a judgment of diminished responsibility)
guns, nevertheless attempt to circumvent these laws and acquire
them.
>
> I gather the impression that, unlike many "ban the gun" advocates,
> you don't mind gun ownership by non-felons, and you own weapons
> yourself. Sadly it appears that most mass shooters are not
> convicted felons *at the time they commit their attacks*, and
> banning the possession of guns by _potential_ shooters would require
> massive infringements of civil rights- for who can identify a
> potential shooter? Psychological screening for firearms purchases?
> The possibilities for political abuse of such a system would be
> large.
>
But not impossible to guard against. I assume that any remotely
contestable judgment would be fought tooth and nail by the NRA;
maybe this is an advocacy role they could play in the future - admit
that some sort of screening system, which still allows the vast
majority to own guns if they so choose, is necessary for the public
good, and labor to keep it honest.
>
>
> --
> Doug Jones, Rocket Plumber
> Rotary Rocket Company
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Fri Nov 01 2002 - 15:03:52 MST