As the pendulum swings, we see a glimpse of sanity on the horizon

[Straw Man]

237. So what do you picture?

The "ludicrous" picture of scattering people is yours, not mine

How else would they avoid the "man with a gun"?

No your background check means little to me and has nothing to do with "demonstrable need".

You have yet to define "demonstrable need." I would suggest to you that the burden is on the powers-that-be to demonstrate that I am a threat to society before they can circumscribe my rights. In any case, that's my view of the role of government. Apparently it's one that you don't share.

All guns in public are a potential threat to public safety. I prefer to be able to see potential dangers, so they may be avoided. Call me crazy.

I don't know about crazy, but I would call that an unreasonable fear. Do you get queasy walking through crowds, knowing that there might be people carrying concealed weapons? It could happen anywhere, you know -- even in Merry Old England.

Permits would be issued for specific purposes and restrictions may apply.

For example? What "specific purpose" would be sufficient, in your estimation? What restrictions would be appropriate?

I find the concept of routinely carrying a gun for self defense laughable, but I'm still working to find a solution that allows you to assuage your fears and the public to retain some safety.

You're entitled to your own sources of amusement, as long as your sense of humor doesn't impinge on my rights. However, the latter is clearly what you would like to do. I don't routinely carry a gun, but I appreciate the fact that I can be the one to determine when it is appropriate, within the parameters of the licensing authority and the laws of my state. I live in one of the most restrictive of the 50 states in regard to handgun possession, yet you would raise the bar still higher to assuage your own unreasonable fears. I trust myself to carry a firearm, and the State of New York trusts me. Why would I ever want to substitute your fear-driven and authoritarian strictures for my own good judgement?