We have regulation. Lots of it. I am fine with NICS. I think we should beef it up to make it better and quicker. Make it accessible to everyone, even.
When it comes to regulation, I guess one needs to be specific, because if it affected primarily criminals and not law abiding owners, then OK. I have picked apart many schemes, but I admit I can’t wave my hand and dismiss all of them.
People keep saying that, but the paying base for the NRA is large. Their power is the calls and email sent in an organized matter. The lobby money with the PACs do probably influence some, but if this was just a money game, there are LOTS of rich liberals who could buy a vote that way. But it isn’t just about money, it is the votes.
I have been assured that people don’t want to ban all guns, so manufactures would just keep making guns that fit what ever laws there are. Manufactures aren’t hurt by things like licensing schemes or other road blocks. Just the people. I concede there is some influence by manufactures probably, but not as much as one would suppose. In fact, god help a manufacturer that concedes to the government. There are still people who won’t buy certain products for sins of past CEOs, past company policies, or in the case of Troy hiring a former FBI sniper who shot Weaver’s wife at Ruby Ridge as a consultant.
Again - we have TONS or regulation. I guess one needs to get specifics on what more they want, why, and how that regulation will affect “X”.
To turn your question around of “Why do I need an AR-15?”, when I present the very low numbers of them used in crimes, what rational reason can one give me that I shouldn’t have one? Is it merely the POTENTIAL?
I do agree that some elements of the NRA are playing to the whole Meme battles and culture war and I find it distasteful. I have said many times this isn’t an issue that is firmly liberal or conservative. It makes zero sense that it is, but that is how it has played out.
That probably has some truth to it. Again, it would depend on the law. There are many laws on the books that are deemed constitutional. Something too broad would be contested and thus yes, you would have to change the constitution.
