[cgregor]

One of the big problems is the owners who let go of their guns. They sell them, give them as gifts, pawn them, leave them unsecured, and those guns are used in at least 80% of the gun homicides and armed robberies (125,000 annually). If they'd been King Arthur, they would have sold Excalibur to Mordred, not the proper mindset for someone who values the power of a weapon.

If gun purchasers were obliged to make sure the weapon they buy would be their responsibility until the day it was no longer recognizable or usable as a firearm, they would be more cautious in buying it and ensuring it never passed from their control until the day they died.

This would effectively create millions of gun control agents and pretty much shut off the biggest source of firearms for criminals.

And-- the Second Amendment would not be violated! The NRA could change its motto to, "You can have my weapon when you unglue it from my cold, dead hands."

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by cgregor

One of the big problems is the owners who let go of their guns. They sell them, give them as gifts, pawn them, leave them unsecured, and those guns are used in at least 80% of the gun homicides and armed robberies (125,000 annually). If they'd been King Arthur, they would have sold Excalibur to Mordred, not the proper mindset for someone who values the power of a weapon.

If gun purchasers were obliged to make sure the weapon they buy would be their responsibility until the day it was no longer recognizable or usable as a firearm, they would be more cautious in buying it and ensuring it never passed from their control until the day they died.

This would effectively create millions of gun control agents and pretty much shut off the biggest source of firearms for criminals.

And-- the Second Amendment would not be violated! The NRA could change its motto to, "You can have my weapon when you unglue it from my cold, dead hands."

It's already a federal felony to sell to someone who is a prohibited person.

[arctichomesteader]

The VT Supreme Court is going to decide on whether or not the charges are appropriate on Jack Sawyer. Even if they rule for the state it may prove difficult to get a conviction from a jury. https://www.rutlandherald.com/articl...supreme-court/

So there's a very real possibility this kid will be walking free. And able to pass another background check like he did the first time (for a standard shotgun). The legislature also appears unwilling to bring armed police officers in to schools to guard them. The whole thing is a farce. And it's going to be expensive when the state has to defend it in court (the gun law).

[ben young]

New York, New Jersey ,Western Conn. all up Rt.91..Vermonters sold their land to the Bob Newhart's of the world. and bringing big city fears with them.

[Riley.]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

The VT Supreme Court is going to decide on whether or not the charges are appropriate on Jack Sawyer. Even if they rule for the state it may prove difficult to get a conviction from a jury. https://www.rutlandherald.com/articl...supreme-court/

So there's a very real possibility this kid will be walking free. And able to pass another background check like he did the first time (for a standard shotgun). The legislature also appears unwilling to bring armed police officers in to schools to guard them. The whole thing is a farce. And it's going to be expensive when the state has to defend it in court (the gun law).

I always questioned the 'attempt' charge when no real, actual attempt was made. That said, this kid sounds very disturbed, and there SHOULD be a mechanism where he is flagged and not allowed to purchase ANY firearm unless and until a full mental evaluation has been conducted. These are the people who shouldn't have weapons.

[arctichomesteader]

I've written the governor and my legislators urging them to look at reforming the process for ordering psychiatric evaluations and involuntarily committing dangerous individuals like this. It seems to fall on deaf ears. I don't think that school in Fair Haven will be safe if this kid walks free. I don't want him to be free and able to have a firearm but this gun bill isn't going to accomplish that. We can't criminalize thoughts but we can keep people like this who pose a severe danger to society in a safe place where they'll get some treatment for their problems.

[cgregor]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

It's already a federal felony to sell to someone who is a prohibited person.

But it should be illegal to sell to somebody who lets it get out of their control for any reason-- even theft-- with the result that it winds up in the hands of anybody-- not just felons-- who uses it to commit a crime or commit suicide.

King Arthur never let a lesser mortal use Excalibur. Why should any gun owner do otherwise? If I lend my weapon to a good friend who then lets it get stolen and used in a crime; or who lends it to someone who then murders her spouse, even though he might be my best friend, he has proven himself unworthy to touch anyone else's firearm. Let him show he is responsible by buying his own.

[Pilot1]

Originally Posted by cgregor

But it should be illegal to sell to somebody who lets it get out of their control for any reason-- even theft-- with the result that it winds up in the hands of anybody-- not just felons-- who uses it to commit a crime or commit suicide.

So you do you stop a gun from being stolen in a locked home? Isn't it reasonable to assume that the gun is as secure as you can make it? Doesn't the criminal who stole it bear the responsibility. I keep my guns in a gun safe. However, so did my friend. When he was on vacation, thieves broke into his locked home, and took a saws all (circular saw) to the gun safe, opened it, and stole all his guns, and other valuables. All the safe did was to show the criminals where his guns, and valuables were.

King Arthur never let a lesser mortal use Excalibur. Why should any gun owner do otherwise? If I lend my weapon to a good friend who then lets it get stolen and used in a crime; or who lends it to someone who then murders her spouse, even though he might be my best friend, he has proven himself unworthy to touch anyone else's firearm. Let him show he is responsible by buying his own.

Now you are just getting silly, and I can see where your arguments emanate from. FANTASY. Maybe gun owners can hire Merlin the Magician to cast spells on their guns so they never get stolen. Wow.

[cgregor]

Therein lies the heart of the matter: How much does someone want to own a gun? Knowing that they will have a lifetime responsibility for its use will guide their decision to buy one and to store it securely.

They will weigh their desire to protect themselves from a tyrannical government against the possibility of going to jail for a murder someone else committed with their gun. They will weigh their need for personal protection against the possibility of being arrested as an accomplice in a burglary committed fifteen years after they sold the weapon used. If they decide to purchase one, they will consider whether they want to store it in a tin box that can be opened with a power saw, a safe that would require ten hours with a jackhammer, or take it with them every time they leave home (as they normally do with their children).

We as a culture do have to start thinking of firearms as potent instruments which can cause death, instruments we responsible people must jealously hold forever or else destroy, lest they pass into unworthy hands.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by cgregor

But it should be illegal to sell to somebody who lets it get out of their control for any reason-- even theft-- with the result that it winds up in the hands of anybody-- not just felons-- who uses it to commit a crime or commit suicide.

King Arthur never let a lesser mortal use Excalibur. Why should any gun owner do otherwise? If I lend my weapon to a good friend who then lets it get stolen and used in a crime; or who lends it to someone who then murders her spouse, even though he might be my best friend, he has proven himself unworthy to touch anyone else's firearm. Let him show he is responsible by buying his own.

So you're proposing to punish people who are the victims of thieves now.