Everyone should own a firearm

OU Daily ^ | October 20, 2005 | Matt Hamilton

[Redcitizen]

" The one surviving terrorist later claimed that his group was unaware of the extent of civilian firearm ownership and felt that it was “unfair.” "

Heh-heh. :) Obviously not the brightest bulb in the box.

[Fenris6]

"How would we pay for such a program? Simple: raise the taxes of those who either refuse to participate or are barred from ownership."

Liberals who insist sex ed prevents pregnancy will insist that gun safety classes promote shootings.

[Billthedrill]

Not everyone will want to do this, of course. Let's compromise - if someone doesn't want to own a firearm, I think that they should be allowed not to do so once they undergo psychiatric evaluation by the government and after the payment of an annual fee to cover the protection they're receiving from others but not contributing to themselves. Is a license-not-to-have-to-carry such an outrageous imposition on the non-gun-owning public?

[Argus]

I think in the 18th century, the term "well-regulated" meant "properly equipped", not the modern meaning of regulation. It was also understood that the militia comprised all free male citizens capable of bearing arms. That would now be extended to all adults of either sex not convicted of a felony.

[rdb3]

"A" firearm, as in one? Ha!

I have two .44 Desert Eagles (among others). Why? One for each hand.

If you want a Google GMail account, FReepmail me.
Also, please see The Backside of American History
You'll love this 187 page .pdf (1.99 MB)

[Disambiguator]

Rush Limbaugh says that (and I paraphrase), "if liberals interpreted the Second Amendment the same way they do the rest of the Bill of Rights, gun ownership would be mandatory."

I agree with him.

[doorgunner69]

Just "1" firearm? Heck, I have 5 handguns, 2 shotguns, 2 rifles, and 2 airguns. Do I get extra credit?

And yes, I was well trained, got the USMC "Expert" rifle badge to prove it!

[GSlob]

"the Swiss system as an example: Each law-abiding male of proper age is issued and trained in the use of a firearm, and must keep it at his home. In many cantons, owners of handguns are allowed to carry them concealed."
A former Swiss co-worker of mine once mentioned to me that while they have assault rifles in almost every house, the ammo for these is much tighter controlled, and far from widespread. Maybe other FReepers with more direct experience could clarify.

[onyx]

FOTFLOL!

[Non-Sequitur]

Someone please explain the difference between 'right' and 'obligation' to this jackass.

[groanup]

As much as I like seeing a student realize the importance of gun ownership and the 2nd Amendment, I see a little bit of big goverment conformity here. Should we all have the same "government issued" weapon? Should we all wear little plaid uniforms too?

[labette]

I'll be traveling to Oklahoma tomorrow, and celebrating the Second Amendment at the Tulsa Gun Show.
The BIG one.

[El Gato]

I think in the 18th century, the term "well-regulated" meant "properly equipped", not the modern meaning of regulation.

Not quite, it meant "properly functioning". Even today, or at least a decade or three ago, clocks that kept good time were said to be "regulated". Shotguns and rifles that shoot where they are pointed are still said to be regulated as well.

That would now be extended to all adults of either sex not convicted of a felony.

Why limit it to those not convicted of a felony? Lots of things that were misdemeanors in the 18th century are felonies now. Plus lots of misdemeanors are in theory punishable by more than 1 year in prison or jail, but such sentences are rarely given. Nonetheless, those misdemeanors are felonies for purposes of denying one's RKBA. In days of yore, even real felons had their rights restored, once they had "paid their debt to society". Today I would do that after they had successfully served all their probationary time as well as their time actually incarcerated. After all, if you can't trust someone with a gun, why are you letting them out on the street. Those inclined to commit crimes with firearms will not be bothered by laws denying them the legal ability to obtain them.

[Bob]

A former Swiss co-worker of mine once mentioned to me that while they have assault rifles in almost every house, the ammo for these is much tighter controlled, and far from widespread. Maybe other FReepers with more direct experience could clarify.

While I can't claim direct knowledge, I do understand that a specified amount of ammunition must be present along with the rifle. It's not as if they can only have an unloaded weapon without any ammunition readily available. I'll try to find a link to the site where I read that.

[Ranald S. MacKenzie]

Everyone should own a firearm Walther P99. There... that's more like it.

[El Gato]

Rush Limbaugh says that (and I paraphrase), "if liberals interpreted the Second Amendment the same way they do the rest of the Bill of Rights, gun ownership would be mandatory."

Shortly after the second amendment was ratified, it was. Not only was ownership of a firearm mandatory, they told you, with fairly broad limits, what kind and of what caliber, you had to have. You could of course have others if you wished.

[68skylark]

Every person between the ages of 16 and 50 without a felony record should be required to own and be trained in the use of a firearm.

Terrible idea. I can think of dozens of reasons why this kind of blanket rule is undesirable.

[Osage Orange]

Just "1" firearm? Heck, I have 5 handguns, 2 shotguns, 2 rifles, and 2 airguns. Do I get extra credit?

If you know exactly how many firearms you have....you don't have enough.

[Disambiguator]

I want a gun with a plaid stock.