From: googs@pravda.rtp.dg.com (Joe Gugliemino)
Subject: Re: A Japanese student killed in Lousiana
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 92 21:11:31 GMT
Organization: Data General Corporation, Research Triangle Park, NC

In article <Bx82G5.Jqv@watserv1.uwaterloo.ca>, rtang@sunee.uwaterloo.ca (The One Your Mother Warned You About!) writes:
|> In article <1992Nov4.182110.21082@adobe.com> pngai@adobe.com (Phil Ngai) writes:
|> >>   Have you taken a driving lesson? Did the teacher tell you only how to
|> >>drive fast? As I understand it, the good gun education doesn't include only
|> >>"how to shoot well" but also "how not to shoot when you shouldn't."
|> >
|> >I'm sure the criminals would laugh in your face if you try to tell
|> 			    ^^^^^^^ They may laugh, but
|> 				    if they get caught doing it,
|> 				    they go into the slammer.
|> >them when not to shoot.
|> 
|> In which case maybe that person shouldnt be allowed to own a gun.
|> Required gun lessons not only serves to inform a potential owner
|> of the use/care/responsibility of using a gun, but also provides
|> an additional safety net to avoid bad situations.  By screening out
|> potentially irresponsible users and makes sure they really want
|> to owe a weapon. Besides if the owner is a reasonable law abiding citizen,
|> whats the problem with getting educated about a potentially dangerous
|> tool.

There's nothing wrong with being educated about a potentially dangerous
tool.  There's also nothing wrong with having a tool and not knowing how
to use it.  There is, however, something wrong with reckless use.  For
example, I own a chainsaw (it was my uncle's).  I have never used it and
don't even know how to use it, so should I not be allowed to own it?  I
don't see anything wrong with owning it.  If I use it to chop off
somebody's arm, then I should be charged with a crime.  Until then, I
should be allowed free use/disuse of my chainsaw.  I also think the same
thing applies to any firearms I might own.  I agree that responsible use
is important, but I don't think it can be imposed without an oppressive
suspension of individual liberties.

|>         I would figure a gun enthusiat would be more the happy to take
|> a gun course.  If this person only wants a gun to shoot the living 
|> daylights out of something just for the hell of owning a weapon, then 
|> they SHOULD NOT owe one and shouldnt be allowed.

I agree, most enthusiasts would like to take gun courses.  Many have.
I've taken 3 so far.  I just don't think people should be forced to.

I also think that "shooting the living daylights out of something" is a
legitimate reason for owning a gun, as long as it does not impose on the
liberties of another.  What's wrong with that?

|> 
|> If driving lessons and a license is required for a car, I would 
|> thinks its common sense that a gun should warrant the same
|> care and precaution.  If someone cant see this point, IMO shouldnt
|> owe a weapon. Simply, if they cant treat a gun with more
|> care and respect then driving a car, well, there's no hope for
|> them.
|> 
|> RT
You only need a license for driving on public property.  This is
supposed to ensure a level of competence.  If you're suggesting a
competence-based method for using firearms in public I think a large
portion of the public would agree with that.  Just don't try to regulate
private use, and don't bury the competence testing in miles of red tape,
anti-gun politics, and other crap used to deter gun ownership.  BTW,
there's a lot of people WITH driver's licenses that speed, make turns
without signaling, run traffic lights, don't stop for people in
crosswalks, and drive under the influence.  I see that licensing has
done a great deal to curb those abuses.  Don't get caught up in the
dream that licensing is a cure-all.  Making people responsible for their
actions is the answer.
-- 

                             Later,

                             Joe Gugliemino

googs@pravda.webo.dg.com             Voice: (508) 870-6318
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Newsgroups: soc.culture.japan