General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I'm all for a total ban on semi-automatic guns [View all]Hugabear
(10,340 posts)I know you probably meant your post as a rhetorical question, but I'll bite.
Gun-lovers like to think that banning guns will lead to door-to-door searches. There are other ways to enforce a ban without violating the 4th amendment.
Start with an amnesty period where anyone can turn in their semi-automatic weapons, no questions asked. You could also institute a national buy-back program, so that you at least get something of value in exchange. This has been done around the country for years with plenty of success.
Then after that, go through all of the gun registration records, and notify those who have purchased semi-automatic weapons that they have a specified amount of time to turn those guns in to local law enforcement, or to notify if the gun has been stolen or transferred. Failure to respond at all could be considered grounds for a fine or warrant. This would be the most "extreme" and controversial aspect - and there's a good chance that this step probably wouldn't take place.
After that, anybody caught with a semi-automatic weapon could be charged with illegal possession. Just like nowadays, if you happen to be caught with drugs on your possession, you get charged with that. If a LEO sees you with a semi-automatic in your possession, you would be subject to arrest.