Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/26/83; site ihuxr.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!floyd!vax135!ariel!houti!hogpc!houxm!ihnp4!ihuxr!stanwyck
From: stanwyck@ihuxr.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: Re: Handguns: we're succumbing to mob ru - (nf)
Message-ID: <625@ihuxr.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 9-Sep-83 15:03:33 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihuxr.625
Posted: Fri Sep  9 15:03:33 1983
Date-Received: Sat, 10-Sep-83 06:41:49 EDT
References: inmet.302, <1518@tekid.UUCP>
Organization: BTL Naperville, Il.
Lines: 24


David:
	I think the answer to your question has been answered several times,
but I will attempt to reiterate it for you.
	The reason for regulating gun ownership is simply to ensure that
the people who have the guns are trained in their use.  Very few people
actually want to do away with handguns altogether (although I think it might
not be a bad idea), but rather they desire that guns be regulated just as
cars are regulated.  In order to be allowed to drive a car in public, you
must show certain representitives of society that you know how to operate
such vehicle is a safe manner.  This is society's way of protecting the
innocent from the incompetent.  With guns, most of the argument I've heard
reflects similar thinking - ownership and use of handguns should be
regulated in a like manner.  Set up a firearms registration bureau, with
firearm use examiners.  When you have shown them that you know how to 
safely possess and use a firearm, you will receive a licence, renewable
every X years, to own your gun.  If you ever use that gun in an anti-social
manner, you can lose that license - just as you can lose your drivers license.
	Many of us feel that the handgun is not the problem.  We see the
problem as being the use of handguns by people who do not know how to use
them, and as a result these people injure, yes, even kill innocent people.
	Does this now answer your question?

Don Stanwyck : ihnp41ihuxr!stanwyck : 312-979-6667