The Countertop Chronicles

EJ Asks,

Okay, let’s be specific. What would the NRA’s objection be to a law requiring gun dealers to establish whether a potential buyer is a student and, if so, to inform (or even get permission from) the student’s high school or college before any weapons could be sold? What about raising the minimum age for purchasing a gun to 25 or 30? Why not renew the ban on the sale of assault weapons?

Why not create a national bipartisan commission that would propose ways — including, but not limited to, sane gun laws — to push back our culture of violence?

One more question: Why are our politicians still cowering before the gun lobby after Virginia Tech?

I Answer

What would the NRA’s objection be to a law requiring gun dealers to establish whether a potential buyer is a student and, if so, to inform (or even get permission from) the student’s high school or college before any weapons could be sold?

Well, lets see. For one, its illegal for anyone under 21 to purchase a handgun. That should take care of the High School issue and it does take care of most college kids.

Since Cho didn’t use a rifle, I assume your referring to your fetish to ban handguns. Well, what business is it of the high school or college (or indeed, anyone . . . remember, we’ve got a constitutional right to privacy as well as the right to keep and bear arms). And, how does a dealer establish if your a student? And again, what is the relevance?

EJ, Are you suggesting that we would prefer only high school drop outs have access to guns?

What about raising the minimum age for purchasing a gun to 25 or 30?

I just love how your so willing to screw around with a fundamental civil right. What if I proposed only people over 30 could have abortions. Bet you’d be up in arms over that . . . and yet we know 100% of people who have abortions murder someone. As far as I know, neither I nor any of my many gun buddies has ever killed someone with a gun (well, except for those who have seen combat on behalf of the United States).

Why not renew the ban on the sale of assault weapons?

You mean the ban on barrel shrouds?

Why not create a national bipartisan commission that would propose ways — including, but not limited to, sane gun laws — to push back our culture of violence?

Well, thats a fine first step we can all agree on. Lets start with holding the VT Administration personally liable (jail? maybe. Bankruptcy, certainly) for infringing on the rights of VT students to have been carrying a gun that day and increasing the chances of taking Cho out early and then we can follow the lead of Tennessee and eliminate victim disarmament zones.