Mandatory Firearm Ownership

If someone does not want a firearm they should'nt be forced to own one.

Firearms ownership laws in towns tend to start as jokes at the local blue plate between the local mayor/president and their hunting buddies. The laws pass in towns that already have 100% ownership, like that GA town.

I'd be ok, I'm no law breaker. lol

Such a mandate is basically unenforceable. The states and localities considering such mandates are doing so to make a statement that they are pro-gun. Seen in that light, this is not such a bad idea.

The town in GA where it's been law since 1982 doesn't actually enforce it and anyone can say they have moral reasons against it and be exempt.

Still, having said that, I get the point about laws where people must own something not seeming to be aligned with liberty and a free society.

But, it's like saying you have to have a building with proper electrical wiring.

Also, the Constitution of many states (mine includes) states that all citizens are part of the militia, so it's like a duty to be ready for militia service.

Unenforceable and dumb idea.

It's really no different than being forced to march with the militia in colonial days. I think that any member of a communty should be responsible for being able to provide for the common defense. These days it isn't indians or redcoats, but drug dealers and any other type of criminal.

Everyone should own a gun.
Everyone should wear a seatbelt.
Everyone should wear a helmet on a motorcycle.
Everyone should have a healthcare plan.
Everyone should eat healthy and exercise.
Everyone should avoid usage of tobacco products.

But one that trumps them all: Everyone should be Free to make their own choices. Laws should not come into play until it comes to the point where your choices affect other people.

If a person wants to be defenseless that is their own problem. I wouldn't point a gun (or have government point a gun) against a person to force him to have a gun. Doesn't sit right.

On the plus side, if that kind of law required everyone to qualify, it would likely go a long way to dispelling some of the irational fear of guns! It might also get a lot more people into the sport.

Adding "Firearm Safety" and "Basic Marksmanship" classes at the local public schools would help...

Such a mandate is basically unenforceable. The states and localities considering such mandates are doing so to make a statement that they are pro-gun. Seen in that light, this is not such a bad idea.

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It may make it a good idea, but it also makes a dumb law. Dumber than laws banning gun possession. On the other hand, I'm a firm believer in peer pressure. Want everyone in town armed? Well, get out and convince them they should be armed, and even shame them if they refuse. The issue of gun ownership is one individuals are perfectly capable of deciding for themselves, and should only decide for themselves.

Laws mandating anything upon us are counter to freedom, and it's high time we all realized that. It is wrong to pass laws that turn "should" into "will, under threat of law" in order to make political statements or make ourselves feel better.

TCB

TRX said:

Adding "Firearm Safety" and "Basic Marksmanship" classes at the local public schools would help...

Click to expand...

Should be graduation requirements...

T2K said:

The town in GA where it's been law since 1982 doesn't actually enforce it and anyone can say they have moral reasons against it and be exempt.

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Kennesaw, GA, a suburb or Atlanta. We lived in neighboring Marietta in the mid to late 1980's

Recent violent crime rate per 1000 persons is 0.76 (http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ga/kennesaw/crime/)

The city of Atlanta violent crime rate per 1000 persons is 14.58 (http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ga/atlanta/crime/)

Marietta, GA violent crime rate per 1000 persons is 6.80 (http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ga/marietta/crime/)

The state of Georgia violent crime rate per 1000 persons is 3.73
(see any of the above links).

Marietta is next door to Kennesaw.

In part because of Kennesaw's gun law, there are easier pickin's elsewhere in the area. The bad guys just do not know what they would encounter in Kennesaw.

Government should strive to place fewer restrictions and mandates on citizens, not more. I am totally in favor of people making an informed personal decision to own firearms, but not of government sticking its nose in.