# Gun People: Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 26, 2009, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492 "2009-02-26T09:57:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Stealth\_Potato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Potato)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492/41 "2009-02-26T18:09:06Z")
> [@masterofnone](#): > > No. “All guns must be registered if purchased from a licensed gun dealer” is more like it. Just to be clear, there’s only any “registration” in most places if you consider the Form 4473 to be registration, which is really a stretch. It’s just a requirement for federally licensed dealers to record the details of all transactions they make, and keep those records stored in case it becomes necessary to attempt to trace the ownership of a firearm. No government agency collects or records this information. In most states, this is the only legal requirement regarding the recording of gun sales. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492/42 "2009-02-26T18:18:45Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > I can understand your curiosity on this particular subject, but spare me your phony concern for the gun owner. Your previous threads have demonstrated pretty clearly that you don’t particularly care what happens to us. > > Why don’t you 'fess up and just state right out that all of these untracked guns just scare you to death? Why don’t you quit jumping to conclusions and read the question and responses for what they are? What the fuck is wrong with you? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492/43 "2009-02-26T18:18:55Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > Not only that, they actually give guns away. :eek: Lets see. I have two shotguns, four rifles and two handguns that all where givin to me in one maner or another. I have never purchased a gun, yet I have 8. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492/44 "2009-02-26T18:27:17Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > Is it safe to assume that all guns manufactured since 1950 need to be registered? The data needs to be recorded at the time of retail sale (since 1964, iirc). Even die-hard-gun-nuts have no major problem with this. “Gun registration” refers to the idea that all guns in your possession must be “registered” or else there’s a crime. For example, let us say Widow Smith has her late husbands Police service revolver in a box somewhere\*. Under “gun registration” laws she’d be guilty of a crime. - the gun may or may not have been recorded when sold, perhaps her late husband bought it before 1964 for example. ---
**Author:** ![masterofnone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@masterofnone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/masterofnone)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492/45 "2009-02-26T18:30:41Z")
> [@Stealth\_Potato](#): > > Just to be clear, there’s only any “registration” in most places if you consider the Form 4473 to be registration, which is really a stretch. Fair enough. To me the difference is not particularly significant, as the government still has access to the information. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492/46 "2009-02-26T18:35:29Z")
It’s a huge difference. The records of what the government can show I obtained and what I actually have in my possession are quite different. And frankly I want it that way - since in practice registration has often led to confiscation. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492/47 "2009-02-26T18:37:57Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The data needs to be recorded at the time of retail sale (since 1964, iirc). Even die-hard-gun-nuts have no major problem with this. “Gun registration” refers to the idea that all guns in your possession must be “registered” or else there’s a crime. For example, let us say Widow Smith has her late husbands Police service revolver in a box somewhere\*. Under “gun registration” laws she’d be guilty of a crime. > > - the gun may or may not have been recorded when sold, perhaps her late husband bought it before 1964 for example. Yes, I’m pretty sure that’s the deal in Illinois…if my husband dies, I have to either get a license or sell the guns within one month (I think) or it’s considered illegal possession. ---
**Author:** ![masterofnone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@masterofnone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/masterofnone)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492/48 "2009-02-26T18:44:37Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > It’s a huge difference. The records of what the government can show I obtained and what I actually have in my possession are quite different. And frankly I want it that way - since in practice registration has often led to confiscation. I wasn’t clear. I meant the difference between the dealer holding the records and the govenrnment holding them, not the difference between current practice and full on registration of all weapons. I agree with you completely. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492/49 "2009-02-26T18:45:05Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > Why don’t you 'fess up and just state right out that all of these untracked guns just scare you to death? I’d say the ones with the guns for protection were the scared ones, despite their claims they feel safer having them. ---
**Author:** ![masterofnone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@masterofnone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/masterofnone)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492/50 "2009-02-26T18:46:58Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > I’d say the ones with the guns were the scared ones, despite their claims they feel safer having them. Do you own a fire extinguisher? ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492/51 "2009-02-26T18:59:35Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > I’d say the ones with the guns for protection were the scared ones, despite their claims they feel safer having them. Yes, and I have a tiny pecker too :rolleyes: I am compensating. If I could kill stuff with my dick from 200 yards I wouldn’t need a firearm would I? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492/52 "2009-02-26T19:05:11Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > I’d say the ones with the guns for protection were the scared ones, despite their claims they feel safer having them. So, what you are saying is that you want to make"the widow Smith" a criminal\* because you beleive somehow this sort of tracking will reduce crime somehow? - I will assume here that the “Widow Smith” has no idea she would have to resgister her late husbands gun, and thus she’d not register and thus jail time for Grandmother, just because her late husband served as a Police officer. niiiice. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492/53 "2009-02-26T19:06:11Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > I’d say the ones with the guns for protection were the scared ones, despite their claims they feel safer having them. Spare me. The single time I grabbed my gun for personal protection I was perfectly justified in doing so, and nearly everyone who has heard that story has agreed that they would have done the same thing in my shoes. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492/54 "2009-02-26T20:02:24Z")
So, non-firearm owners can be accused of getting the vapours over “a few unaccounted for guns”, but those who practice regularly with a weapon for defensive purposes, can’t be said to be fearful? ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492/55 "2009-02-26T20:08:39Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > So, non-firearm owners can be accused of getting the vapours over “a few unaccounted for guns”, but those who practice regularly with a weapon for defensive purposes, can’t be said to be fearful? It’s just as stale and ignorant as the “compensating for something” argument. What the hell do I have to be afraid of? Government is the only entity around that could seriously threaten me. I’m not afraid of you having guns, my neighbors having guns, criminals having guns. I am afraid of wolverines, but who isn’t? Antigunners are apparently afraid of me having guns _and_ me losing guns, even though I’ve been investigated by federal and local agents and found to be fully trustworthy. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492/56 "2009-02-26T20:35:54Z")
> [@Bobotheoptimist](#): > > Antigunners are apparently afraid of me having guns _and_ me losing guns, even though I’ve been investigated by federal and local agents and **found to be fully trustworthy**. Lucky bastard. I saw _my_ file. It said “Noisy but harmless.” :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492/57 "2009-02-26T20:56:19Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Lucky bastard. > > I saw _my_ file. It said “Noisy but harmless.” > :mad: Well, you live in California where “harmless” = “dangerous” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492/58 "2009-02-26T21:21:21Z")
> [@Bobotheoptimist](#): > > It’s just as stale and ignorant as the “compensating for something” argument. What the hell do I have to be afraid of? Government is the only entity around that could seriously threaten me. I’m not afraid of you having guns, my neighbors having guns, criminals having guns. I am afraid of wolverines, but who isn’t? Antigunners are apparently afraid of me having guns _and_ me losing guns, even though I’ve been investigated by federal and local agents and found to be fully trustworthy. Okay, you’re one of the good guys. Can you say that about everyone you know with a gun? If everyone was as responsible as you are, there wouldn’t be a problem with stolen guns, would there? ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492/59 "2009-02-26T21:44:13Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > Okay, you’re one of the good guys. Can you say that about everyone you know with a gun? > If everyone was as responsible as you are, there wouldn’t be a problem with stolen guns, would there? If no one was a criminal, there wouldn’t be any criminals. Punishing non-criminals for the behavior of criminals does not cause criminals to stop being criminal. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492/60 "2009-02-26T21:46:39Z")
> [@Bobotheoptimist](#): > > Punishing non-criminals for the behavior of criminals does not cause criminals to stop being criminal. In fact, it’s likely to make some of us non-criminals **into** criminals. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-question/487492.md?page=4)