Reply #44: I'm not missing your point, I'm pointing out it's incorrect [View All]

[Euromutt]

The NRA opposes MANDATORY training, which I find ludicrous.

There's a reason for that, namely that there have been instances in the past where training was a requirement to get a license (yes, there are states that require that), where a sheriff or police chief with an anti-gun agenda avoided issuing permits by the expedient of not holding the training classes, or holding them at inopportune times in inopportune places with little to no notice.

The NRA also does not expel members who commit crimes with their guns, act in grossly irresponsible ways with firearms.

How is the NRA supposed to know whether a member has been convicted for a firearms offense, or has behaved in some grossly irresponsible fashion?

In most states you don't have to show jack to buy a long-gun, or ammo. You knew what I meant.

I know what you meant, but that doesn't make you right. The purchase of a long gun from a Federal Firearms Licensee requires showing ID (to verify your age and state of residence), filling out an ATF form 4473 and passing a NICS check. This is federal law; it applies in all states.

Logically obvious in the sense that if there are physically less guns in circulation the less likely it will be for a criminal to get one.

You're saying the same thing, so I can only repeat what I said earlier: the number of firearms in criminal hands is dictated by demand, not by supply. If you reduce the number of firearms in private hands to the point that the criminal demand cannot be met by stolen guns, then some enterprising spark will smuggle them in, or manufacture them in an underground workshop. In spite of legally owned private firearms being highly rare in most western European countries, criminals who want a firearm will acquire one from other sources.

Interestingly, something like 90% of the handguns used in crimes in Canada are illegally smugged in from the US. Most are used by gangbangers and other organized crime outfits, usually in the drug trade.

If the American supply were to dry up in whole or in part, another source would be found. Most European crime guns come from eastern Europe. The Chinese aren't too fussy about who they sell to either.

The thing about that is that although they were illegally imported into this country, the were legally purchased in the US by US citizens whose sole intention was to smuggle them here.

That's not actually legal; it is illegal to purchase a firearm with the intent to sell it to someone else, and to acquire a firearm for that purpose requires false pretenses.

You know, it really helps, when criticizing the supposed shortcomings of American firearms law, if you know what the law actually is.