# Hypothetical test to get gun license **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 1, 2013, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213 "2013-05-01T15:56:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bumbazine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbazine/32/362_2.png) [@Bumbazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbazine)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213/21 "2013-05-01T21:20:53Z")
1. Have you successfully passed a recognized and accredited firearms safety and proficiency course taught by an accredited instructor? 2. have you ever been convicted of a violent crime? 3. Have you ever been declared a danger to yourself or others by a competent mental health professional? 4 through 10 can ask about your favorite color for all I care. ---
**Author:** ![Gukumatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213/22 "2013-05-01T22:12:12Z")
**Mod Note** Enough with the hijacks and sniping. This thread is about a specific hypothetical question. If you want to have yet another gun rights debate, start a new thread. - Gukumatz, IMHO Moderator ---
**Author:** ![backsidejohnny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/backsidejohnny/32/280_2.png) [@backsidejohnny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/backsidejohnny)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213/23 "2013-05-01T22:21:22Z")
1. Are you an American citizen? 2. Are you currently on parole or probation? ---
**Author:** ![Yarster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/7c8e57/32.png) [@Yarster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yarster)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213/24 "2013-05-01T23:03:33Z")
I would want questions that tested the following: 1. Knowledge of the law and where guns are and are not allowed (no schools, bars, etc.) 2. Proof of passing a basic firearms safety course. 3. Mental health 4. Questions about storage and use of the firearm to ensure they understand the dangers of children in the home with a firearm and consequences of lending a firearm or buying a firearm for someone else who commits a crime with it. ---
**Author:** ![pilot141](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e0b2c6/32.png) [@pilot141](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pilot141)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2013, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213/25 "2013-05-02T06:10:13Z")
Yeah, this can be difficult to parse the hypothetical. After I get over the fact that there should NEVER be a test, I would submit: 1. Proof of completion of a firearm safety class. 2. Proof that you have never been convicted of a felony. 3. Proof that you are not mentally unstable. I think that’s all I can come up with for the theoretical gun license. I guess I’m using the “gun safety” class as a catch-all, much like the driver’s license practical exam. Someone has to watch you either drive or shoot and handle a gun before they will sign off on that paper. So much like “parallel park” is everyone’s nightmare on the driving test, it might be “clear a stovepipe” on the gun test. Anyway, other than not being a raging murderous asshole…clear that stovepipe and you are good to go! (Said a little facetiously as we hand out driver’s licenses to people who kill thousands every year with drunk driving). And again **Czarcasm** - I appreciate what you are doing here. It is just so hard for me to come up with anything that I think is reasonable. Bravo for trying to find out though - I am interested as well. ---
**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:** [May 2, 2013, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213/26 "2013-05-02T11:06:22Z")
> [@pilot141](#): > > Yeah, this can be difficult to parse the hypothetical. > > After I get over the fact that there should NEVER be a test, I would submit: > > 1. Proof of completion of a firearm safety class. > > 2. Proof that you have never been convicted of a felony. > > 3. Proof that you are not mentally unstable. > > I think that’s all I can come up with for the theoretical gun license. I guess I’m using the “gun safety” class as a catch-all, much like the driver’s license practical exam. Someone has to watch you either drive or shoot and handle a gun before they will sign off on that paper. > > So much like “parallel park” is everyone’s nightmare on the driving test, it might be “clear a stovepipe” on the gun test. > > Anyway, other than not being a raging murderous asshole…clear that stovepipe and you are good to go! > > (Said a little facetiously as we hand out driver’s licenses to people who kill thousands every year with drunk driving). > > And again **Czarcasm** - I appreciate what you are doing here. It is just so hard for me to come up with anything that I think is reasonable. Bravo for trying to find out though - I am interested as well. I think you and some others here are confusing a _test_, which is used to test knowledge, with _requirements_, which are actions that must be taken. What this hypothetical is calling for are ten questions that must be answered, not ten requirements that must be fulfilled. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2013, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213/27 "2013-05-02T18:31:57Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I think you and some others here are confusing a _test_, which is used to test knowledge, with _requirements_, which are actions that must be taken. What this hypothetical is calling for are ten questions that must be answered, not ten requirements that must be fulfilled. Perhaps this will help: Some responses have asked, “Have you completed a firearms safety course?” During that course, maybe a test would be given. What questions might appear on that test? ---
**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:** [May 2, 2013, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213/28 "2013-05-02T18:38:58Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Perhaps this will help: > > Some responses have asked, “Have you completed a firearms safety course?” > > During that course, maybe a test would be given. What questions might appear on that test? Do you know what would help? If we just stuck with the posted hypothetical and came up with questions that should go on this test. If you want to dig up a firearms safety course and pick out whatever questions you think belong on this hypothetical test and post them here, you are more than welcome to do so. edited to add: You are also welcome to critique any of the legitimately posed questions that have been submitted so far. ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2013, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213/29 "2013-05-02T19:18:20Z")
I can’t think of 10, but here are a few that would be interesting to see answered before being allowed to purchase a gun. What is the proper way to store guns and ammunition? Have you discussed gun safety with with everyone currently living in your home and anyone else who might have access to your weapon? Would you/are you planning to regularly check your weapons and ammunition to make sure nothing is missing, broken, expired, or otherwise in a position to accidentally cause damage you would be unaware of otherwise? ---
**Author:** ![akennett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee59a6/32.png) [@akennett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akennett)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2013, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213/30 "2013-05-02T20:22:35Z")
> [@pbbth](#): > > What is the proper way to store guns and ammunition? This is a horrible question as it implies that there is one correct way to store guns and ammo. There are a multitude of ways to do so, and any answer would be dependent on the specifics of why that particular gun is owned. ---
**Author:** ![artemis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@artemis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/artemis)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2013, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213/31 "2013-05-02T20:26:53Z")
> [@pbbth](#): > > I can’t think of 10, but here are a few that would be interesting to see answered before being allowed to purchase a gun. > > What is the proper way to store guns and ammunition? > > Have you discussed gun safety with with everyone currently living in your home and anyone else who might have access to your weapon? > > Would you/are you planning to regularly check your weapons and ammunition to make sure nothing is missing, broken, expired, or otherwise in a position to accidentally cause damage you would be unaware of otherwise? Honestly, those seem pretty silly. There is no one single proper way to store guns and ammunition, so that question’s going to be impossible to grade. Anyone with two functioning neurons is going to answer “yes” to question #2, whether they intend to hold such a conversation so or not (it reminds me of those stupid questions the airlines always ask about packing your own bags before you’re allowed to check in for a flight). And there’s no need to check ammunition (except while you’re you loading the gun, in case a defective round made it past QC) because it doesn’t expire, and there aren’t too many parts on a gun that could break without the shooter quickly becoming aware of it. ---
**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:** [May 2, 2013, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213/32 "2013-05-02T20:27:23Z")
> [@akennett](#): > > This is a horrible question as it implies that there is one correct way to store guns and ammo. There are a multitude of ways to do so, and any answer would be dependent on the specifics of why that particular gun is owned. Agreed. I wouldn’t make that one of the ten. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2013, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213/33 "2013-05-02T21:05:47Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > One possible: > What’s the first rule of gun safety? (Assume it’s loaded.) Maybe just some really basic true/false questions, like; I should always assume a firearm is loaded. True False I should keep my finger away from the trigger unless I intend to fire. True False I should only point the weapon at something I want shooting. True False It is possible to ‘shoot to wound’. True False …and so on. If you’re stupid/ignorant enough to get the basics wrong you’re probably not safe around a firearm in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![artemis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@artemis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/artemis)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2013, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213/34 "2013-05-02T21:22:54Z")
I’d be inclined to say the hypothetical test should be in essay format, rather than a simple true/false or multiple choice format. It would be harder to guess the right answer, and give the stupid more rope to hang themselves from (especially if the questions include things like explaining why they chose their particular storage method, or how they plan on handling and cleaning their firearm). Of course, grading an essay is more subjective than grading a multiple choice test, so that would be a big drawback. ---
**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:** [May 2, 2013, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213/35 "2013-05-02T21:26:25Z")
> [@artemis](#): > > I’d be inclined to say the hypothetical test should be in essay format, rather than a simple true/false or multiple choice format. It would be harder to guess the right answer, and give the stupid more rope to hang themselves from (especially if the questions include things like explaining why they chose their particular storage method, or how they plan on handling and cleaning their firearm). > > Of course, grading an essay is more subjective than grading a multiple choice test, so that would be a big drawback. Not really looking for interpretive gotchas here, just ten basic things gun owners should know. ---
**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:** [May 2, 2013, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213/36 "2013-05-02T21:52:45Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2013, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213/37 "2013-05-02T22:07:51Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > [Essay: Describe, in twentyfive words or less, why you should be allowed to exercise your rights under the Constitution.[/list] “As a minor with 2 felony convictions, the government cannot infringe upon my right to a machine gun” ---
**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:** [May 3, 2013, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213/38 "2013-05-03T01:01:11Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > “As a minor with 2 felony convictions, the government cannot infringe upon my right to a machine gun” Not here, _please_. ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213/39 "2013-05-03T05:36:17Z")
1. List 5 considerations when storing firearms and ammunition in the home 2. When carrying a loaded firearm what safety precautions that should be taken? 3. Insert question regarding the local laws for carrying/transporting firearms on your person and in your vehicle 4. Under what circumstances are you legally permitted to discharge a firearm in a built up /residential area That’s a start off the top of my head. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-test-to-get-gun-license/657213.md?page=1)