baldeagle wrote:
It's very long, so set aside some time to read it. But I found it one of the most even handed discussions of gun policy that I've ever read.
In the real world, I definitely subscribe to the "Not one more inch" philosophy on gun rights.
That being said, in the ideal world that the writer referred to regarding compromising on gun laws, I really wouldn't have too much to disagree with. He didn't suggest that we give in on waiting periods, gun free zones, or any of the other clearly useless anti-gun proposals that we are constantly bombarded with. In fact, with his proposals the national gun community would gain more than we would lose, and in his ideal compromise the debate would basically end.
His compromise would have us give up constitutional carry, but gain national carry reciprocity and national shall-issue permitting. I personally feel that constitutional carry is what the 2nd amendment ensures us, but again this was his ideal compromise between both sides of the debate.
We would also have to give up on background checks, but (again, in an ideal world) the system would be highly streamlined and cost effective. We would be able to instantly run the check online or at various government offices at the lowest cost to the seller and buyer possible. What we would gain by doing that would presumably be improved crackdown on criminal gun sales. (though I would be skeptical of any real impact there)
While he didn't overtly say it, he essentially seemed to be in favor of repealing the NFA. We would gain easier possession of suppressors and SBRs. Maybe even automatics to a degree.
In his ideal compromise, we would gain national carry reciprocity and national shall-issue permitting. We would also seem to gain a repeal of the NFA and a simpler NICS system. In return, all we would actually give up is private sales without a background check. We already don't have constitutional carry in all but a few states.
Unfortunately, we don't live in an ideal world, and our political system would never just stop debating over something like guns. I will continue with the "not one more inch" philosophy, and I still believe that we shouldn't have to compromise to get national reciprocity and constitutional carry.
However, if his ideal compromise was possible, I would consider it.
But we all know the antis would never let that happen.
