🚀 go-pugleaf

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In article <DK6pw3.5p4@freenet.carleton.ca> Colin R. Leech 
(ag414@FreeNet.Carleton.CA) wrote:

> Chris McLeod (chris.mcleod@sasknet.sk.ca) writes:
> >  It would seem
> > that logic states that controlling criminals would be an easier task
> > than contolling firearms...

> Except that you never know who is a criminal until after it is too late
> ("innocent until proven guilty", and all that).

Now you are starting to get it. Cracking down on responsible firearms owners
will not change crime or violence. Being assumed innocent until proven
guilty is an important tenent of our society (because without it, we are a
totalitarian state).

> Somebody has to die before
> we can charge somebody with murder.

Sort of. There is a charge of "attempted murder." In principle, any crime
that can be punished has an equivalent charge for the attempt, and the
punishment should be the same.

> Ideally, you may be correct. In
> practice, it is a lot easier to control the guns instead, and it achieves
> most of the desired result.

All the evidence says otherwise. I have seen no one provide any information
which even hints that controlling the law-abiding will reduce crime.

> No, it isn't a perfect system, which is the
> point that the pro-gun people have been making. But it's a darn sight
> better than doing nothing.

Doing something wrong is never better than doing nothing.

> Do you have any better ideas? If so, we'd love to hear them.

For dealing with the firearm issue:

The NFA has presented a licensing scheme (apparently when C-17 was brought
into being by Kim), as well as during the C-68 garbage. It was fairly
simple, requiring anyone who owned/used firearms (including police and
military) to show proficiency in various categories (ie: Proficiency with a
shotgun, for shotguns; proficiency with pistols, for pistols; etc.), as well
as the usual background check. You don't have the particular license
category, you don't own/use that type of firearm. There is no need to limit
the number of firearms (of a particular category owned) or even have
knowledge of how many are owned by an individual, since he has already been
certified as proficient and responsible by the authorities.

For dealing with criminals (after the fact):

Increase MINIMUM sentences. Require ALL applicable charges to be laid.
Eliminate plea bargaining. Overhaul the Young Offenders Act to deal with
these people, who know damn well they are (literally) getting away with
murder.

For dealing with crime (before the fact):

Research the causes of crime (poverty, drug abuse, marital strife, etc.) and
institute programs to educate people and deal with the root causes.

- -- 
               SysOp, CUE Here BBS  (403) 465-7715
                 Roger_Walker@CUEHere.bohica.net
               Roger_Walker@CUEHere.Edmonton.AB.CA

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