Gun Control Debate

[Beet]

In general, I favor a non-ideological approach to guns. Allow people to own them, but apply the same standards to them as everything else. The First Amendment is not a license to incite violence, yell "fire" in a crowded theater, or prohibit Congress from any sort of campaign finance restrictions whatsoever. The Second Amendment is not a license to prohibit any regulations on firearms whatsoever.

I certainly favor universal background checks and a national gun registry, (as the latter would help law enforcement track down where criminals acquire guns). While I don't support the idea that a gun manufacturer should be liable for the misuse of a gun (in a crime, for instance), I feel it's the court's role to make that decision, and that it's inappropriate for all potential suits to be barred pre-emptively by Congress. For example, I see nothing wrong with local jurisdictions requiring manufacturers to closely monitor the retailers they sell guns to, to make sure they don't end up in the hands of criminals, and facing a suit if they fail to fulfill that obligation.

On the other hand, I'm not in favor of a renewed Assault Weapons ban, because of the poor definition of Assault Weapon. This issue generally tends to poll better than the underlying policy.