🚀 go-pugleaf

rsutc@twu.ca (Rick Sutcliffe) writes:
] I wonder if the pro gun lobby would care to try their hand at writing gun
] control legislation that would recognize their hobby

It's not a hobby, Rick.  The US 2nd Amendment isn't about hunting
or target shooting.  It's about keeping power in the hands of the
citizenry,  instead of in the hands of government officials.
And as Jefferson and Mao would agree,  ultimately, political power
comes from the muzzle of a gun.

] and yet improve the liklihood of assault victims surviving because 
] there were fewer deadly weapons with which to conduct attacks 

Surveys recently posted to t.p.g. show that the best way to 
increase the probability of assault victyems surviving is
to allow them to carry guns.

] available to the less responsible. 

Other than the already-in-force prohibitions on convicted felons
and the mentally-incompetent possessing firearms,  what criteria
do you have in mind for determining who these "less responsible" are ?

] After all, it may be people rather than guns that kill, but it is a heck
] of a lot easier to kill someone with a gun than without one.

Au contraire.  Pushing people off tall buildings is cheaper and easier.

] What would the gun hobbiests accept?

It's not a hobby, Rick.  Many people own guns for the same reason
the police carry them.  Many people own guns for the same reason
the Army has them.  Many people own guns because in some areas
of the US and Canada, you _need_ a gun to survive. (e.g. Alaska)

] No controls at all?  Better ones? What would they consider better?

Fewer than exist now, Rick.  We already have bans on sales to minors,
possession by felons, and possession by those pronounced mentally
incompetent in a court of law. We already have licensing of
weapons of mass destruction like artillery pieces.  IMHO, that's
all that is needed.  Bans and licensing of machine-guns should be
revoked, waiting periods should be revoked, bans on any semi-auto
should be revoked, and bans on certain 12-ga shotguns should be 
revoked.  Concealed carry permits for non-felons should be made
non-discretionary and without heinous restrictions, because
experience shows that concealed carry decreases crime and saves lives.
--
Dennis O'Connor                          doconnor@sedona.intel.com
Intel i960(R) Microprocessor Division    Solely responsible for what I do.