Give me a valid argument against national gun OWNER registration.

[Xithras]

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

The owning of a firearm in the United States is legal because of the second amendment, which specifically declares that it is not only acceptable to regulate that militia (adult U.S. citizens), but that regulation is necessary. One of the most basic requirements for regulation is knowing who you are dealing with. I cannot see any realistic constitutional arguments against the federal or state registration of firearms owners. I don't see how firearms owners can be "well regulated" WITHOUT their identities being known to the government.

So how about this as a crimefighting tool. The U.S. should implement a federal Shall Issue system in which all non-criminals can be issued firearms licenses after passing weapons training and safety courses. Mental health and criminal background checks are an obvious requirement. Once issued, those owners can buy whatever guns they want. If you violate the terms of the license and get it revoked (commit a gun crime) you lose it forever. Get convicted of a violent felony, and you lose it forever.

Children under 18 can handle firearms only in the presence of a licensed adult. Any adult caught permitting an unlicensed youth to handle a firearm without supervision loses his license for 10 years. Any adult over 18 caught in possession of a firearm without a license gets a mandatory year in prison, and 10 years suspension of firearms licensing rights. If you're caught a second time, you get 5 years and a lifetime ban. After that, it's 10 years a pop. If you're caught without a license while committing a gun crime, it's a special circumstance that can double the sentence for the other crime.

So explain to me how this 1) Wouldn't be constitutional. 2) Wouldn't reduce gun crime. 3) Isn't a good idea.

I'm a gun owner who opposes gun laws that limit our rights to own firearms based on cosmetic features, but I have NEVER understood the logic or legality of the arguments against the registration of gun owners themselves. Not only is it legally allowable, but I'd say that it's specifically authorized by the constitution.