So that talking point about gun liability insurance not insuring illegal acts...

[Sancho]

64. Just think about it...make it harder for dangerous people to easily get guns.

Would result in a politician getting voted out of office in the vast majority of states, and as Democrats we would become a minority party for the foreseeable future. As someone who supports additional firearms regulations I find many of your proposals draconian and ultimately pointless when it comes to actually preventing firearm deaths.

2.) To get a license, you should have a background check, and be examined by a professional for emotional and mental stability appropriate for gun possession. It might be appropriate to require that examination to be accompanied by references from family, friends, employers, etc. This check is not to subject you to a mental health diagnosis, just check on your superficial and apparent gun-worthyness.


How is an examination for "emotional and mental stability" different than a "mental health diagnosis"? I assume the state/federal government pay for the cost of this examination. Why does my employer get to have any say on whether I own a firearm?

If you get a drivers license, you pass a vision test at the DMV...it's not a diagnosis. You'd be sent to a professional for diagnosis. No different.

5.) If you possess a gun, you would have to carry a liability insurance policy specifically for gun ownership - and likely you would have to provide proof of appropriate storage, security, and whatever statistical reasons that emerge that would drive the costs and ability to get insurance.


Are the criminals also going to required to carry liability insurance? How does liability insurance do anything to address the vast majority of gun-related deaths, which are suicides? What do you consider "appropriate proof of storage"? How do you enforce the requirement that someone lock up their firearm?

Anytime you walked in to buy a gun, go to a shooting range, get some bullets, etc...you would have to show a license. It would take a lot of guns off the streets pretty quickly. Insurance companies would ask questions like, "are you taking medications or being treated for depression?" States and insurance companies can easily require gun safes, etc. If you don't comply, then no insurance. No insurance, then no license. No license, then you can't buy guns or bullets.

6.) You could not purchase a gun or ammunition without a license, and purchases would have a waiting period.


How long a waiting period? So if someone goes to a gun range and wants to purchase ammunition for target practice they can't do so because there's a waiting period?

Yes. You'd have to show a license at the shooting range. You could likely buy ammunition to use that day. Just be reasonable. You could not go to Kmart and buy a stockpile of guns and ammunition without a waiting period.

8.) No one should carry an unsecured gun (except in a locked case, unloaded) when outside of home. Guns should be secure when transporting to a shooting event without demonstrating a special need. Their license should indicate training and special carry circumstances beyond recreational shooting (security guard, etc.). If you are carrying your gun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you lose your gun and license.


You want to overturn all of the concealed carry laws in all of the states that have them, including states like Vermont, which have permitted concealed carry since at least 1777?

Yep...just like most of Europe.

The simple idea is that hunters or valid users would keep their guns. Dangerous people would find it much more difficult to easily get guns. Guns today are different than the 1770s.