Finally… A Sensible Gun Registration Plan That Will Work

[Mr. Rodgers]

Finally… A Sensible Gun Registration Plan That Will Work

Vermont State Rep. Fred Maslack has read the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, as well as Vermont's own Constitution very carefully, and his strict interpretation of these documents is popping some eyeballs in New England and elsewhere.

Maslack recently proposed a bill to register "non-gun-owners" and require them to pay a $500 fee to the state. Thus Vermont would become the first state to require a permit for the luxury of going about unarmed and assess a fee of $500 for the privilege of not owning a gun.

Maslack read the "militia" phrase of the Second Amendment as not only affirming the right of the individual citizen to bear arms, but as a clear mandate to do so. He believes that universal gun ownership was advocated by the Framers of the Constitution as an antidote to a "monopoly of force" by the government as well as criminals.

Vermont 's constitution states explicitly that "the people have a right to bear arms for the defense of themselves and the State" and those persons who are "conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms" shall be required to "pay such equivalent." Clearly, says Maslack, Vermonters have a constitutional obligation to arm themselves, so that they are capable of responding to "any situation that may arise."

Under the bill, adults who choose not to own a firearm would be required to register their name, address, Social Security Number, and driver's license number with the state. "There is a legitimate government interest in knowing who is not prepared to defend the state should they be asked to do so," Maslack says.

Vermont already boasts a high rate of gun ownership along with the least restrictive laws of any state .. it's currently the only state that allows a citizen to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. This combination of plenty of guns and few laws regulating them has resulted in a crime rate that is the third lowest in the nation.

[dc dalton]

Classic, Simply Classic

[autotech6506]

this would be a good way to raise money for the government! lol. I wonder how many people would rather pay the $500 just to not have to own a gun.

[velkly]

If only other politicians thought like this. My favorite line:

require a permit for the luxury of going about unarmed and assess a fee of $500 for the privilege of not owning a gun.

[LittleRedToyota]

already being discussed here:

http://forum.pafoa.org/general-2/770...-gun-laws.html

and it's about 10 years old. maslack isn't even in office anymore.

the measure did not pass.

[velkly]

already being discussed here:

http://forum.pafoa.org/general-2/770...-gun-laws.html

and it's about 10 years old. maslack isn't even in office anymore.

the measure did not pass.

Had to ruin it for us didn't ya?!