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sc94597 on 27 May 2022
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Possibly the key to solving the political problem is to give gun-owners who are suspicious about gun control some things they might like. 

  1. Universal background checks -- but make it so that the state funds the background checks from tax dollars, and non-FFL's can do the background checks for transfers. I can't see any negatives to this, and it makes sure everyone who buys a gun is background checked without inducing a cost to the purchaser and seller. Basically it gets rid of all of the excuses.

  2. Allow for a federal concealed carry/open carry license that works anywhere (preempting state reciprocity agreements) on the condition that one takes a course and gets a particular certification. This also solves the current problem in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association vs. Bruen.

  3. Decriminalize suppressors. Suppressors give much better noise protection and limit noise pollution. It's why in Norway, for example, they are pretty much unregulated and in fact required in many context. Suppressors don't mute the gun like on sees in movies. It's more a difference of 140 db to 100 db. 100 db is still very loud, louder than a lawn mower for example. 

Then couple all of these reforms with the licensing system I described in a previous post (and below.) You'll give GOP and Manchin cover where they can campaign on voting to allow nationwide conceal-carry/open-carry and suppressor decriminalization. 

sc94597 said:

I realize that I never suggested what my "preferred gun policy" is. 

I think a tiered licensing system along these lines is probably ideal: 

Class #1: Any rim-fire weapon and ammunition| no license required, can't conceal carry 

Class #2: Ability to purchase center-fire weapons and ammunition | shall issue license upon completion of state-subsidized course, comes with nationwide concealed or open carry permit

Class #3: Automatic weapons, other Title II weapons, and other military small-arms | participation in gun club or state-militia with references, thorough background check, regular mental health checks subsidized at the state's expense. 

People who own a weapon in a class that they don't have a license for are given the opportunity to meet the requirements, retroactively, as an alternative to fines or jail-time in so much as they didn't commit a violent crime. 

Former felons get to own guns and get their voting rights back automatically upon completion of their sentence, unless there is reason to think they are at a high risk of recidivism. 

Nevertheless, I think solving the social maladies that we find in the U.S is a more comprehensive and thorough solution that has many more tertiary benefits.