Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Gun Control Though Paperwork

I was on the fence over the concealed carry laws. Not for very long. It passed hear in Missouri and it is a good thing. St. Louis resisted issuing licences but I think they worked it out. I had thought that was the worst of it. Then the discussions on the Heller started. So law A says you can have\use gun in instance a not b. Then law b says you can have \use gun in instance b not a. WTF? It was more complicated and includes an outright ban on handguns.

As complicated as laws are I wouldn't rule out passing 5-6 laws all but outlawing guns and a final bill that outlaws all but what the first laws didn't cover. Would any one catch on for some time? Then there is what seems to be the current tactic.

My sister is going to school in Mass. I know not the best idea but the music teacher she needed is there. She didn't fly. She is pretty savvy and I wasn't to worried but it is a two day trip and family is along way away. A gun? No, not even close. Pepper spray? Cheap enough. She should be fine with that. Nope. You have to register with a small fee with the local sheriff in Mass. She would have to register pepper spray. Paperwork. She didn't want to deal with that on top of everything else.

It appears to be the same thing with gun control. I have heard (that's authoritative) that you can get a gun permit in New York. You need several thousand dollars, a lawyer and a year or so to waste on it. The problem? They ban the insane and others that should not have guns. Fine, we are doing that now. Then ( a wild for instance) if you want gun here is the 300 page form. The last 100 pages need to be sighed by 10 local agencies 25 or so state and 40 Federal. They have to be done in order and take 6-9 months each. And only one gun at a time. And some classes. And a few background check. And we need school records. And a mental evaluation. And financial statement. And have you ever taken money from Washington, we have to be equal about guns and can't support you and your gun. and on and on.

Now if it was that bad in the next 10-15 years it would be struck down. However you can do far less with the same result. Congress Sets Table for Confiscation of Firearms I have my doubts about the characterization. Everything is pretty upside down. It is possible. One of the Free Republic posts explains the law. I would start there.
From the bill at GovTrack: Highlights by me
SEC. 102. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS.
(a) In General- In order to be issued a firearm license under this title, an individual shall submit to the Attorney General (in accordance with the regulations promulgated under subsection (b)) an application, which shall include--
(1) a current, passport-sized photograph of the applicant that provides a clear, accurate likeness of the applicant;
(2) the name, address, and date and place of birth of the applicant;
(3) any other name that the applicant has ever used or by which the applicant has ever been known;
(4) a clear thumb print of the applicant, which shall be made when, and in the presence of the entity to whom, the application is submitted;
(5) with respect to each category of person prohibited by Federal law, or by the law of the State of residence of the applicant, from obtaining a firearm, a statement that the individual is not a person prohibited from obtaining a firearm;
(6) a certification by the applicant that the applicant will keep any firearm owned by the applicant safely stored and out of the possession of persons who have not attained 18 years of age;
(7) a certificate attesting to the completion at the time of application of a written firearms examination, which shall test the knowledge and ability of the applicant regarding-- (Continues)
(8) an authorization by the applicant to release to the Attorney General or an authorized representative of the Attorney General any mental health records pertaining to the applicant;
(9) the date on which the application was submitted; and
(10) the signature of the applicant.
(Continues)
SEC. 304. FAILURE TO PROVIDE NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS. (cont.)

SEC. 305. CHILD ACCESS PREVENTION.(cont.)
SEC. 403. INSPECTIONS.
In order to ascertain compliance with this Act, the amendments made by this Act, and the regulations and orders issued under this Act, the Attorney General may, during regular business hours, enter any place in which firearms or firearm products are manufactured, stored, or held, for distribution in commerce, and inspect those areas where the products are so manufactured, stored, or held. (cont.)
My eyes gaze over. The whole bill is easy enough to fine. I am not to sure how bad this is. It was introduced by a Mr. Rush? From Chicago? Is that good? Nope.

Finally a brake down of the constitutional problem. I don't know the source very well so RAOR(read at your own Risk). The gun issues is important but the tactics are deceptive and are not limited to guns.

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