I don't know how they managed from our days as colonies starting in the 1600s, to Declaration of Independence in 1776, until the GCA of 1968 added lifetime prohibitions.
In fact before 1968 also created the FFL system anyone could mail order a gun to thier home, or buy one at the local hardware like other tools.
Even after adding lifetime prohibitions government left a method to regain rights, but then decided to defund it to make it impossible.
There is clearly people I would rather not have firearms. I however do not trust government to not misuse or abuse discretion in determining who can be armed.
From a historical perspective it becomes almost comical to have the government which is supposed to be deterred by an armed population, (which is the purpose of the 2nd according to the documents and letters of the founders), getting to decide what part of the population is armed and requiring government permission to buy a gun.
He is okay, and he is okay, no not him we don't want to be deterred by him.
Nor do we want to be deterred by anyone who does this, or that, or has demonstrated a willingness to act in this or that manner.
It is a mockery of the intent of the 2nd.
And only can be excused in modern times because people don't actually believe in the real purpose of the 2nd anymore, and instead guns are owned purely for self defense from common criminals, animals, use in pest control and recreational activites. Which is understandable, but not why we actually have the 2nd Amendment that so many people like to mention.
Because if people really acknowledged legally or intellectually that something was owned to deter something else, letting what is supposed to be detered get to decide who owns that which will deter it is contrary to logic. Even if they believe that the purpose of the 2nd is outdated, it seems unConstitutional to allow such a situation without changing the 2nd Amendment which the founders put there with that understanding of its purpose.
Then you consider expansions of prohibiting offenses, attempts and desires to include just people on the 'no fly' list and other discretionary things. As well as the numerous people that are not even prohibited who get denied, or have to go through a hassle after being falsely denied when trying to purchase a firearm.
They have the ability to revoke any individual's ability to buy firearms, prohibited or not, just by making it so they will get a denial through NICs.
I don't think the founders in America even before breaking away from the British would have approved of a system that required every citizen to check with the government in England each time they wanted a firearm, even if it could be done quickly.
