Should a person be required to pass a basic firearms safety test before they are allowed to purchase a firearm

[Hardpan]

Originally Posted by Cape Cod Todd

I think a basic safety course and test is a good idea. It has been many years since I got my LTC but I think nowadays in MA. a test is required. There is a hunter safety course which makes sense.
As for the second amendment The founding Fathers had no idea that #1 guns would be so plentiful in the future and #2 brains would not be.
Guns are lethal so people who want to own one should be schooled in the safe handling and storage of them. We make people take driving tests as a matter of public safety and owning a gun is just as serious as navigating a car.

Driving a car on the roads is a "Privilege", not a Right. That said, people buying firearms should learn all about them before buying one, including how to shoot and how to handle ANY commonplace firearms.

If I had my way, you would also have to take the oath of office, before you purchased any gun and that means being willing to use it in defense of your country. And THAT is the reason why Americans have the Second Amendment to begin with. Being able to buy a firearm in the US hinges on that fact alone, period.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Haakon

You are never going to be able to eliminate 100% of accidents or negligence. Accidental deaths the left love to revel in are a fluke. You really want to save lives? Make it harder to get a driver license, more than 6x as many children are accidentally killed in cars every year than by guns.

So which is it, do you want to save lives or control guns? For most on the left they want to control guns.

The fact that you can't eliminate 100% of accidents or stupid behaviour doesn't mean you can't do better. Look at how much we've improved on other public health issues like drunk driving, with no need to ban alcohol or cars.

And as I've said countless times, I have no interest in gun control. It's people who screw up, usually not the gun itself.

[Orlandochuck1]

Originally Posted by arjay57

You would just like to minimize this sort of thing if possible.

Winder man shoots 9-year-old girl while assembling gun

You don't need a safety class to know that the first thing you do is check to see if the gun is loaded when you first handle a firearm. Law already requires that gun safety paperwork comes with every new purchase.
Being a firearm safety and CCW instructor, my business would make more money if the government required classes before allowing first time firearm purchases. You would think I would be in favor of it. Nope. People should get training, but the government can't be trusted to implement of oversee such legislation. I'm for less legislation, not more.