How familiar are you with existing firearm laws?

[ejbrush]

There exists a large body of definitions, regulations and restrictions (which I collectively refer to as "laws") pertaining to firearms. Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about what currently exists, and does it influence your stance on the Gun Control Question? Furthermore, do you feel that familiarity with the laws currently on the books is relevant to the discussion about firearms in the USA today?

[icee2]

1. I am FOR allowing people to be able to protect themselves with..

a firearm. Unless someone is on parole or probation, everyone (including convicted felons) should have the legal right to
keep and bear arms.

[PavePusher]

2. Second the motion...! n/t

[msongs]

6. parolees, probationers, nuts, serial killers - everyone has the right to own guns . Nothing

in the second amendment prohibits that.

[eqfan592]

14. Didn't take long for a drive by strawmaning.

I say drive by due to the extremely low probability of you returning to see any possible responses to your nonsense.

[pipoman]

20. No, he/she undoubtedly returns to see responses

just can't defend his/her positions effectively so chooses only to drive-by troll.

[Walk away]

9. and people on the terrorist watch list too!

[eqfan592]

13. Do you even know how people get on the watch list in the first place?

No oversight, no due process, you can't even find out if your on it or not and if you are on it why. Yet you want THIS list to be a basis for stripping people of constitutional rights?

[TheWraith]

18. Actually, yes. Unless you can prove that they DID something.

Stunning, isn't it, how many people could recognize the "watch list" as being a gross offense against the fifth amendment when it was the Bush administration and the ability to get on an airplane, but apply it to guns and suddenly it's the best thing since sliced bread.

[PavePusher]

25. So you endorse the Division of Thought Crime.

Not very Progressive of you... That was supposed to be a Republican job.

[benEzra]

28. People on the Bush/Cheney secret blacklists, you mean?

How progressive of you...

[SteveM]

29. The Fifth Amendment: it's not just for breakfast anymore! (nt)

[virginia mountainman]

3. It is absolutely important..

Dumb asses expose their lack of basic knowledge, when they repeatedly try to ban things that are already banned..

Case in point, assault rifles....Very TIGHTLY restricted since the 1930's

Armor Piercing ammunition, sell to the public, out right banned, since the 1986.

Anyone pushing to ban either of those things, expose themselves to be very ill informed on the subject at hand, or an outright lier.

[Turbineguy]

4. Unfamiliar enough

to give everyone around here a well-informed sounding opinion.

[slackmaster]

5. As a federal firearms licensee, I am responsible for complying with federal and all state gun laws

I don't have to know them by heart, but I am obligated to comply with them.

The BATFE is very helpful in that regard. Every few years they send out a set of all federal, state, local, and territorial gun laws that they know about. Last time it came on a DVD, in searchable PDF format.

[ejbrush]

7. Forgot to reply to my own poll!

In the interest of disclosure, I selected option 1. I am pro-RKBA and am very familiar with the majority of the current laws on the books. My father was a FFL dealer and gunsmith growing up, and while I may not be able to recite the ATF and Wisconsin codes chapter and verse, I know where to find the answers when I need them.

[Walk away]

8. What laws? Can't you just go to a gun show and buy what you want? n/t

[eqfan592]

16. Is this sarcasim? Please tell me it is. (nt)

[GreenStormCloud]

22. No, you can't. N/T

[ZombieHorde]

10. How do you define gun control? Even the NRA wants some firearm

regulations.

[eqfan592]

17. My guess would be if you support Brady Campaign style gun control.

But further specification would be appreciated.

[oneshooter]

11. I am very familiar with local( Texas State) laws,

and are knowledgeable about Federal Law. But I don't know all of the 20,000+ local, State and regional laws in the U.S.

Oneshooter
Livin in Texas

[Kali]

12. pro gun

and know the law pertaining to me and my usage, probably not very knowledgeable on other laws/regs (or even other guns themselves)

[X_Digger]

15. Used to keep up with the law in many states..

Now I focus on Texas, mainly, with an eye on Florida where we plan on moving back to eventually.

I followed the federal law from about 86 on. In the days before the internet there were a few national BBSs with dedicated 'guns' sections where the same kind of discussion happened. (fidonet anyone?)

I find that a lot of folks have misconceptions about what our current laws actually are, and I've had more than one person switch positions when they actually understand what laws are in place, so yes, familiarity with current law is relevant to the discussion.

[TheWraith]

19. Problem is, EVERYONE thinks that they're knowledgeable, even when they're not.

Somebody who thinks that "assault weapons" are machine guns, or that gang members can mass-buy armor piercing bullets at the local gun show, may think that they're knowledgeable about the law, but they clearly aren't.

[Euromutt]

21. I went for option 1, but it really applies primarily to my own and surrounding states

As in, I consider myself very knowledgeable about what state and federal laws apply to me in my home state of Washington; I know a fair bit about California state laws (most of my in-laws live in the Bay Area), and about Oregon state laws.

So I know the laws on the west coast, but because I don't get away from the west coast very often, I'm only passingly familiar with the laws elsewhere (though I know where to look them up).

And hell yes, familiarity with the law is relevant in discussing the topic of gun control. How can you argue that we need more or less stringent gun control laws if you don't know what the current laws are?

[philly_bob]

23. UNREC for using term ("RBKA") without defining it. /nt

[PavePusher]

26. Seriously?!

Rec'd, just to balance out Mrs Grundy.

[frebrd]

32. This is the "Guns" forum........

Who here doesn't know what "RKBA" means?

:shrug:

[eqfan592]

33. It's "RKBA", not "RBKA", and you fail. (nt)

[philly_bob]

36. I didn't read this in the Guns forum, but in the "On The Fence" selection.

The daily DU "On the Fence" group are postings that are selected because they have around 50% recs vs. unrecs -- in other words, people are "On The Fence" about it.

So these discussions end up being shared with people NOT in the "Guns" forum, and don't share your background knowledge.

Please inform me, what does RKBA mean?

[Euromutt]

37. Right to Keep and Bear Arms

As in "the right of the people to keep and bear shall not be infringed."

[philly_bob]

38. Thanks. /nt

[PavePusher]

40. Ahem. Google is your friend...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=RKBA&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g8g-s1g1

...and will help keep you from silly unrec's in the future. C'mon, how hard was that?

[cowcommander]

24. Painfully familiar

:(

[PavePusher]

27. Every time I see that chart...

I throw up a little in my mouth. Sorry your state government is so stupid.

California: Bringing new meaning to "Death by Bureaucracy".

:puke:

[SteveM]

30. Looks like the schematic on a 50-yr-old short wave radio kit (nt)

[eqfan592]

34. wow.....

....and the people that made this crap up actually expect to be taken seriously? I agree with the "throwing up a bit in my mouth" sentiment after viewing this.

[SteveM]

31. I am familiar with the laws which affect me where I live (nt)

[S_B_Jackson]

35. I have a Texas CHL and am very familiar with Fed and State laws...

Since I visit my sister in NC regularly, I have a fair knowledge of NC laws; and a passing familiarity with the carry laws in the states between....LA, MS, AL, GA, SC...

Thankfully most of the states with CCW laws are slowly harmonizing their statutes to make compliance with the laws easier.

[michreject]

39. I am pro-RKBA and am very knowlegable about current laws.

And learning more every day.

[PavePusher]

41. Education is always a good thing. n/t

[michreject]

42. In this case

I can keep me out of jail and my guns in my possession.