By Christopher B. Daly
I have ready access to a device that can kill people. Sure, it was built for other purposes, but it can kill people — potentially lots of people.
This device is dangerous. Because it is so dangerous, people (acting through their governments) have taken steps to minimize the danger:
–As a user, I have to take lessons and prove to a police officer that I can handle this device.
–I have to submit to a government-run eye exam.
–I have to pay for a license and carry it any time I use this thing.
–I have to pay (a lot) for insurance in case I accidentally hurt someone.
–The device itself must be registered with the government.
–Every year, I have to let a stranger handle it and prove that it is in good working order.
–I have to take steps to make sure this thing is never stolen, by locking it and by installing special equipment to deter thieves.
–I have to pay taxes to help make these things safer.
–If I want to sell an old one, I can go to the private re-sale market, but the new owner has to have a license, pass inspection, etc.
–If I get too old to handle it or lose my eyesight, there goes my license.
–I cannot just hand one to a child.
–Every time I use this thing, I am subject to being watched by a police officer; if I do anything wrong or if any of my safety equipment is not working, I am subject to immediate detention.
What is it? It’s an automobile.
So, if we can live with these kinds of restrictions on our cars, why can’t gun owners accept some reasonable limits on their guns? (Not a ban, just some common-sense rules for safety.)
From the CDC’s latest national annual figures:
Deaths from motor vehicles: 34,485
Deaths from firearms: 31,347
Prof Chris Daly's Blog 
I’ve been saying the same thing, albeit in the privacy of my home, for ages. Regarding the national register for cars, I heard on NPR this morning that the NRA is resisting a national gun register, which many people who think about these things think would go some way toward curbing the illegal sale, transfer or possession of guns, because they think it would be a first step toward confiscation. I don’t follow the logic – if you’re doing everything by the book with your car, paying the bills, paying your tickets and all that, no one’s going to come and confiscate it. Same would hold true for your gun, right?
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They’ll have to pry it out of my cold, dead driveway!
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