What can we really do about gun control?

[rogerashton]

As Senator Moynihan observed long ago, gun control is difficult when we have more than a century’s supply of guns already in the hands of the public. But control of ammunition might be more plausible. Here are some hasty thoughts on that theme.

First, require that all firearms be registered. Transfer of possession of an unregistered firearm would be a serious Federal crime: all firearms legally sold or given must be registered at that time. A database of registered weapons and their owners would be maintained. Possession of an unregistered firearm would be a minor federal crime, at least in a case of first offense and without intent to sell.

To buy ammunition legally, however, would require 1) the registration number of the gun for which the ammunition is procured, 2) the seller would have to be licensed and would be required to consult the database and insure that the buyer is the registered owner and that the caliber of ammunition is consistent. Excessive purchases of ammunition would be a prima facie cause to presume an intent to make criminal sales and thus sufficient grounds for search and seizure. (This in itself might have prevented the Santa Barbara shootings.)

Unlicensed sales or sales of ammunition without the consistency check would be a major federal crime, considered racketeering and so permitting the seizure of any and all property involved in the criminal sale.

[virginia mountainman]

1. Nope...

This is laughable tripe...

How? Democrats have no where near the political power to even seriously talk about it on capitol hill.. Gun Control is an election loser, so why bring it up? The congress and senate have a pro gun majority.

The American people have spoken many, many times on this issue, in the only place it counts, the ballot box. It is folly to ignore them.

In other news, the recent talking about gun control has push Smith and Wesson Stock to 7 year highs...

BTW, I don't fear any federal law you propose, you still must enforce it...... Because I won't comply with it. And I can make everything you wish to restrict... Thanks you for the black market...

Want me to teach you how??

[beevul]

2. "First, require that all firearms be registered."

First, require that all firearms be registered."

You'll have better odds selling crop insurance on the moon.

[gejohnston]

3. no it wouldn't have prevented

the SB shooting anymore than France's ban on private ownership of machine guns would have prevented their terrorist attacks. France has a population of 66 million people. There are about a couple of million registered guns owned by legal gun owners. French authorities estimate there are about 100 million illegal guns in France. Getting a black market full auto AK or Skorpin SMG is as easy to buy as a bag of pot and costs about the same price as a hunting rifle at Cabela's or Canada Tire. That is just France, not counting the rest of the EU. The Charle Hebdo and Kosher deli attackers bought full auto AKs and Skorpins at a Brussels train station.

Excessive purchases of ammunition would be a prima facie cause to presume an intent to make criminal sales and thus sufficient grounds for search and seizure.

So in other words, you are targeting people training for the Olympics or World Cup?

[MohRokTah]

6. "So in other words, you are targeting people training for the Olympics or World Cup?"

Or people who like to target shoot and try to save a few bucks through volume purchases.

[gejohnston]

8. them too

[gejohnston]

4. post script

what law would have prevented the two terrorists from making the pipe bombs?

[jmg257]

5. Could I have more then 1 gun that shoots the same ammo? nt

[GGJohn]

7. Ummm, no.

[spin]

9. Perhaps you are not aware of the fact that ammo can be reloaded. ...

Plenty of shooters reload their own ammo and save money by doing so.

The equipment necessary for reloading isn't all that expensive and you can even cast your own bullets. You do need to buy powder and primers but many gun owners have stockpiled both just in case the law changes to make buying ammo expensive or difficult or the sale of primers and powder is restricted.

When I was reloading handgun ammo I used to reload a case between 5 and 30 times depending on the caliber and the power of the load.

[rogerashton]

10. Well, good point.

My high school sparring partner killed himself with a 38 handloaded by a classmate. I could continue reminiscing, but --

[spin]

11. Obviously you have to know how to safely reload ammo....

and be careful to follow the tables in a good reloading manual for the proper amount of powder to use.

Reloading is not complicated or extremely dangerous. I probably reloaded more than 200,000 rounds and never had a "kaboom."

[rogerashton]

12. No, it was suicide.

Although it took my buddy a long time to die. Oh, the story gets worse from there ....

[spin]

13. I am sorry that you had to go through that experience. ...

Suicide is definitely a tragedy.

[rogerashton]

14. It was more than a half century ago. Thanks for the thought, though.