# Gun owners - would you support this compromise? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 27, 2011, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127 "2011-01-27T00:39:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127/61 "2011-01-27T21:19:21Z")
Just for the record I am not and never intended to try to convince _other_ gun owners that the compromise I have hypothesized is the best course of action or that _you_ all need to support it. I am just saying that _I_ would be willing to deal with the restrictions I mentioned _in exchange for_ the complete removal of the draconian rifle laws. ---
**Author:** ![Susanann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@Susanann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susanann)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127/62 "2011-01-27T21:51:39Z")
Originally Posted by Susanann Will criminals/terrorists/drugaddicts/murderers/massmurderers/robbers/rapists/gangmembers/illegalaliens…ALSO??? be required to get a firearms license and take a class? > [@Czarcasm](#): > > Saw how you slipped in “illegal aliens” into that list. How crude. > But not surprising. By definition, **ILLEGAL** aliens are criminals, illegal. ---
**Author:** ![Susanann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@Susanann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susanann)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127/63 "2011-01-27T21:54:27Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > What would be interesting would be the release of files detailing Loughner’s interactions with the various organs of Pima County law enforcement and mental health departments. IMHO, it needs to be a bigger story than Congresswoman Giffords’s transfers to this, that, and the other hospital. We need a full investigation of the sheriff. ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127/64 "2011-01-27T21:58:27Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > And if you fail to keep it safe or secure, other people get hurt or killed. But hey, can’t be helped, things happen, call the cops, not your problem. That’s “responsible gun ownership” ? Where in that are gun owners ever held responsible? Responsible for being the victim of a crime? ---
**Author:** ![Susanann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@Susanann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susanann)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127/65 "2011-01-27T22:02:09Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > And the simple issue is that crazy people do not go through the proper channels anyway. Neither gun control, nor the mentally ill roaming free are new issues, other countries have legislatively dealt with them before, with varying success, sometimes very strictly and very harshly and very effectively. Hitler was able not only to institute strict gun control (esp strict gun control for Jews), but Hitler also managed to take most of the “crazies” (mentally retarded, mentally ill, etc) off the streets and lock them up so they would NOT be roaming free able to hurt a Congresswoman. How did that work out? . ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127/66 "2011-01-27T22:03:53Z")
> [@Susanann](#): > > How did that work out? Who didn’t see _this_ one coming? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127/67 "2011-01-27T22:04:38Z")
> [@JXJohns](#): > > Responsible for being the victim of a crime? Nope. For being negligent. That is what “responsible” means. Taking responsibility. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127/68 "2011-01-27T22:05:48Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > You’re really talking about negligence as an issue, not guns. And so the point about drugs and chemicals is spot-on. Call me crazy. I think we should treat gun ownership differently than bucket ownership. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127/69 "2011-01-27T22:07:33Z")
If you put “gun” and “compromise” in the title, the three things guaranteed to show up are “slippery slope”, “just admit that y’all _really_ want to ban all guns” and, of course, “HITLER!!” ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127/70 "2011-01-27T22:07:34Z")
**Susanann** , if you want to convince anyone you have a solid argument, you might want to consider using people other than Hitler in your comparisons. (I don’t mean Stalin.) Not everything is like the Nazis. Just about everybody can agree there’s a place for restrictions on guns that does not automatically lead to six million Jews getting murdered. ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127/71 "2011-01-27T22:14:10Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > If you put “gun” and “compromise” in the title, the three things guaranteed to show up are “slippery slope”, “just admit that y’all _really_ want to ban all guns” and, of course, “HITLER!!” Don’t forget reasonable and common sense. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127/72 "2011-01-27T22:16:58Z")
> [@JXJohns](#): > > Don’t forget reasonable and common sense. You got any to contribute? Can you think of a reasonable compromise, where both sides give just a bit, that might mean just a few less pints of blood spilled? ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127/73 "2011-01-27T22:23:20Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > If your firearm is stolen, you did not secure it well enough. Leave it on the front porch if you wish, but you accept the risk of prosecution if someone takes it and commits a crime. Those who want to reduce their liability will take stronger measures to secure their weapons. That’s what being a responsible gun owner is. I figured as much. Nothing to discuss seriously here. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127/74 "2011-01-27T22:25:41Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I figured as much. Nothing to discuss seriously here. I think it’s deadly serious. How much effort do you think a gun owner should take to qualify as a “responsible gun owner”? ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127/75 "2011-01-27T22:40:28Z")
> [@JXJohns](#): > > What is your end goal of registering every weapon in the US? 300,000,000+ get registered overnight. What changes tomorrow, other than every LEO knowing exactly who owns what for when the next Katrina, or other “emergency” rolls through town? Ideally, this will be paired with _Serious Consequences_ for being in possession of an unregistered firearm, or one that doesn’t belong to you. The idea is that since you are allowed to own whatever you please provided you have the license, there is NO reason anyone should be in possession of an unregistered firearm. It should be a serious matter, with real consequences beyond revocation of the license. This way, there is a real chain of custody in place. You sell your piece or give it away? Fine, log online and update your information. If it’s stolen, you report it as such. The last owner is responsible for the weapon. Not for any crimes committed with it’s use of course, but should a gun turn up in such a case, then the last negligent owner should be fined and have their license revoked. That is easily avoided by reporting it stolen. The police know there is a weapon loose, you are covered, and if you are trying to pull an illegal transfer, then you are guilty of filing a false report for starters. In time, this will help make it more difficult to obtain a weapon with a criminal history. Other benefits might turn up in emergency situations. It would be good to know during a natural disaster who your heavily armed citizens are. They could be helpful in an area that has low police numbers. They could assist with securing lower priority targets. On the other side, it would also be good to check up with these people to make certain they haven’t been looted themselves or are dead or injured with a large collection of weaponry available for the taking. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127/76 "2011-01-27T22:41:29Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I figured as much. Nothing to discuss seriously here. So long as you agree that “responsible gun owners” should actually be held legally responsible for something, _anything,_ then, yeah, the discussion is over. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127/77 "2011-01-27T22:46:45Z")
Drop your guns in wet cement. Only chip them out when it’s time to go to the firing range or when your life is in danger. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127/78 "2011-01-27T22:48:18Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Call me crazy. I think we should treat gun ownership differently than bucket ownership. I didn’t mention bucket ownership, I said “And so the point about drugs and chemicals is spot-on.” If you’re going to respond to things I don’t say and ignore the ones I do, then you should quit the thread because you’ve already lost. ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127/79 "2011-01-27T22:50:13Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > You got any to contribute? Can you think of a reasonable compromise, where both sides give just a bit, that might mean just a few less pints of blood spilled? Nationwide shall issue Concealed Carry with the compromise being that those who wish to do so submit to annual mandatory training and shooting proficiency tests. That would make anyone caught carrying without being issues a Federal permit guilty of a Federal offense. Mandatory sentences of course follow. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127/80 "2011-01-27T22:52:42Z")
If the goal is fewer deaths and injuries, skip the gun issue and just legalize drugs. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127.md?page=5)