the actual law for...

[seamusTX]

"why can't computer instructions be written for idiots, with pictures? Might there be a little job protection at play here, too?"

I can answer that from a professional point of view, since I write computer documentation for a living.

We work under a set of assumptions about users that consistently prove to be overoptimistic, and the cost of customer support on account of that is high.

There are two excellent series of books titled The Complete Idiot's Guide to .... and ... for Dummies, which are written by people who have no direct relationship with computer manufacturers or software publishers.

- Jim

[seamusTX]

I have to quibble a bit with Seamus/Jim on two points (as I have quibbled before ). Point the first: while almost all the examples I have found WRT to prosecutions of the most recent GFSZA are indeed as part of prosecution of greater crimes (e.g. drug dealing), I do not believe that means it would never be prosecuted against someone's whose gun possession came to police notice in a less criminal way -- say a teacher or parent who parked in a high school parking lot who got ratted out by someone unhappy with them (and the teacher or parent does not have a CHL or other GFSZA exception). It would depend on how interested the police and the federal jurisdiction are in making an example. It is not a risk I would run lightly.

Your point is worth considering, for the person who does not want to risk federal prosecution.

At the same time, I regard this law as a monstrosity. It makes most of the area of most cities off-limits to most otherwise legal uses of firearms; and it is nearly impossible to know if one is violating it. How can you know if you are within 1,000 feet of school property in an area that you are not familiar with? Simply driving through town on an interstate would put you in multiple school zones.

Someday it has to be struck down or repealed.

- Jim

[57Coastie]

We work under a set of assumptions about users that consistently prove to be overoptimistic, and the cost of customer support on account of that is high.

- Jim

Aha, Jim, my suspicion proves to be correct.

I must take the 5th before drawing a lawyer parallel for this one.

Jim, too

[57Coastie]

At the same time, I regard this law as a monstrosity. It makes most of the area of most cities off-limits to most otherwise legal uses of firearms; and it is nearly impossible to know if one is violating it. How can you know if you are within 1,000 feet of school property in an area that you are not familiar with?

- Jim

You can get a real good deal on a GPS as we get close to Christmas, Jim.

Jim, too