Reply #49: Sounds great!

[slackmaster]

You've described an optional registration system that would have many benefits and few drawbacks. I like the idea.

You want to drive a car, the car must be registered.

Actually it's "You want to drive a car on public roads, the car must be registered." Car registration and driver licensing are all about usage, not ownership or possession.

Optional registration that would allow me to use a gun in public places anywhere in the USA? I'll be among the first to sign up. Of course I wouldn't have to register the guns in my collection that sit locked up in the safe not being used, just as I wouldn't have to register any cars that never get taken out except when they get trucked to car shows or races (if I was a car collector or racer).

Since I use my target rifles only on private ranges and BLM land, I wouldn't have to register them either.

If I decide to press one of my old guns into active service, I could register it at any time. And I could allow registration of any gun I own to lapse without penalty, or as we do in California pay a one-time non-operation fee that is good until I either get rid of the car or decide to re-register it.

You want to drive a car you must be licensed to do so.

Once again, the actual situation is "You want to drive a car on public roads you must be licensed to do so."

An optional federal license that would allow me to carry a loaded firearm for self-protection anywhere in public? Cool beans!

So, what's the problem? Money? How about a $10.00 licensing/registration fee?

If you can come up with a national voluntary gun registration and license-to-carry system that would be self-financed by a $10 annual fee I would volunteer to be your head cheerleader. That's a very reasonable fee.

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