The problem with even a common-sense measure like that is in the current political environment there is a "if you give an inch, they'll take a mile" mentality in the pro-2nd amendment camp. And given recent measures to restrict firearm/accessory access (attempted ATF ammo ban, proposed "assault weapons" and magazines restrictions at the state and federal level, closing the trust loophole, ect.) the paranoia on the pro-2nd amendment side isn't totally unfounded.
And if you ever look into firearm regulations of the Great White North, that's exactly what happened - inch by inch, our government has implemented some of the most RETARDED rules ever.
I'm all for firearms safety, but when laws are clearly made by clueless politicians, based purely on emotion, that's when trust is breached. Ask yourself how the follow can help ensure a safer society:
- magazine capacity, all semiauto centerfire rifle magazine have to be 5 rds. Okay, sounds reasonable for sporting purposes, but:
- you can have a 100 rdn drum magazine, but must have a little rivet at 5.1 rds. You think this would stop ANY criminals? Or would it only bother law abiding range shooters?
- capacity is based on parent caliber. So, I can legally squeeze 13 rds of .223 into a 5-rd .50 beauwolf magazine, in an AR. But if I dare lose the rivet on a 10 rd .223 magazine, I face jail time.
- many guns are outlawed (prohibited status) by "looks" and how scary they sound, and how often they appear in pop culture. You can't have an AK47, or a Barret M82, or Steyr AUG, but you can have a CZ-858, any other 50 BMG, and any other bullpup.
- but wait, a bunch of early CZ-858 owners got screwed, and had theirs confiscated by the RCMP (our fed police) because the feds suddenly changed their minds, and decided it too, was scary looking. Oh, but then a couple years later they changed their minds, so now we can own them again. But if you were screwed before, too bad, they won't unscrew you...
- this was all possible due to our liberal government in the early 90's decided every long gun has to be registered. Normally, I'm NOT against such a thing, as I have no problems with registration. But after the RCMP absolutely, and in my opinion, criminally abused the registry to confiscate private property with no compensation, you think I (and many others) would ever support it again? Luckily this was abolished couple years ago.
- long guns (non-restricted) start at barrel length of 18.5", which means you can shoot them anywhere legal for shooting. Oh, but wait, if you have an AR with 20" they are still restricted, like handguns (range only), because they "look too scary".
- and again, I can have a Norinco bullpup with 18.6" barrel, and 13 rds in a .50 Beauwolf magazine, and walk all over the woods.
- no handgun carry in the wilderness for protection against wildlife. Makes no sense to me, I think it's much less nerving to anti-gun folks if I have a 44 mag hidden inside my jacket, than a big-*** rifle strapped on my back.
And the list goes on and on. Point is, myself, like many law abiding firearm owners, have zero issues with training, registration, and general safe rules / regulations to ensure lawful use of firearms. Because we USED to trust our government. But this level of trust goes BOTH ways, and our government needs to build back that trust if they want us to trust them again.
When they abuse the system, and use their power to make emotional, non-scientific laws that only affects lawful owners, and not criminals, that's when all trust is lost, and we end up in a defensive stance. For us up north, I can guaranty if they ever re-instate the long gun registry, VERY few of us would give in our rifles. Most would rather bury them in their backyards, because they know the next day, their lawful rifles would get confiscated because it appeared in a new movie where the terrorist used it to commit a mass shooting...
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