General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Newspaper Publishes Gun Owners’ Names and Addresses [View all]billh58
(6,655 posts)responsibility and accountability. You have a gun in your house? Then little Billy can not come there to play with Jimmy. Or, thanks anyway, but we'll pass on the dinner invitation. You carry concealed? Thanks, but I'll catch another ride to work.
The anonymous ownership and public carry of concealed guns deprives others of the ability to make rational choices about who they associate with, and places they frequent. If I know that Jim Bob carries a concealed weapon, and I see him in a restaurant, or in a supermarket, I can avoid him for my own safety and peace of mind. And before you get to the "but criminals carry concealed guns," NRA talking point, that is a separate and addressable issue which is NOT a reason to enter an arms race with them. The answer is to reinstate harsh penalties (long mandatory jail terms) for carrying concealed, illegal, and unregistered weapons.
The 2nd Amendment does not include a secrecy, or a confidentiality clause, nor does it guarantee the right to carry a gun anywhere, at anytime, and for any reason. You have a gun? I want to know about it.