Shooting for Responsible Handgun Ownership

Shooting for Responsible Handgun Ownership

06-23-00

There is no question in my mind about the right of all Americans to protect themselves and their families. The ongoing fight about handgun ownership misses, I believe, several important points:

1. Even x-felons have the right to protect themselves and their families. Most people convicted of felonies were not involved in the use of firearms. For those who were, it may make sense to demand and enforce laws against purchase and possession.

2. "Responsible" gun ownership requires more than training and licensing both owners and weapons. It requires that when handguns are purchased or obtained by any other means their use (and misuse) becomes the responsibility of their owners. We require all drivers (even those with perfect driving records) to be licensed, retested every two to five years, and insured, so that if they or their cars are involved in an accident those who suffer property damage or personal injury can be made financially whole again. Further, even those who have seriously misused their driving privileges (DUI, DWI, DWLS) on multiple occasions are usually allowed to continue to drive. Even given the positive purpose for which cars are intended, such as getting to and from work, shopping, emergencies, vacations, and recreation, to drive people are required to pass tests, and to follow rules and regulations (like being insured) on an ongoing basis. I propose:

That all handgun owners pay a registration fee which covers all costs associated with background checks; police investigation of handgun related crime; and of eventual gun disposal. I recommend allowing at least one full week to check the background of the gun and of the owner. Rechecks would occur every two to five years when registration is renewed. You can choose to interpret the Constitution any way you like, the public as a whole should not be required to pay the above costs.
That all handgun owners will be held financially liable for property damage and personal injury done with their weapons. Thus requiring all handguns to be licensed and insured (liability insurance, just like cars).
That there be a period of time during which people can relinquish, without charge, those handguns for which they do not want to be held responsible. During that same period of time they would register those guns they plan to keep.

After the above period of time, anyone found with an unregistered handgun on their person or in their homes would face:

FIRST OFFENSE:	A stiff fine, and loss of handgun.

SECOND OFFENSE:	Double the first fine plus 30 days mandatory jail time (misd. offense). Plus loss of license for any other guns owned.

THIRD OR MORE OFFENSE:	Same fine as above, plus six months jail time, plus loss of licenses for other handguns they own. Confiscation of those handguns, and bar from future gun ownership.

GO DOMEHOME