A Crusade All Should Join

[Beren]

Folks, I'm thinking of starting up a little campaign that might be of interest to you. While I feel that every law-abiding American should be free to purchase whatever firearms they want without restriction, we currently must deal with the ATF.

What I propose is something to greatly streamline the ability of us ordinary people to enjoy our hobbies while cutting out the middlemen.

I'd like to see a new class of FFL created, specifically for COLLECTORS who wish to obtain MODERN FIREARMS. This would be similar to the current C&R FFL except that there would be no limitation regarding the age of the firearm. You would not be permitted to conduct a business under this license, only collect for your own personal use.

Once upon a time, it was possible for non-business owners to obtain an FFL for this purpose. During the Clinton years this freedom was curtailed.

How would we go about this? Would you support the campaign by personally visiting and calling your represenatives to lobby for legislation directing the ATF to create such an FFL class?

I hereby dub this effort as under the umbrella of:

"The Beren Campaign to Reduce Violence & Crime"

Specifically, as: "The Beren Effort for Safe Gun Ownership"

 

[Vladimir Berkov]

I think it would simply be better to try to get that part of the GCA repealed, so we could all just order firearms mail order again.

 

[Beren]

It would certainly be better, I don't disagree there - but I think adding a new FFL class would be more easily accomplished than getting those restrictions revoked.

 

[Blackhawk]

This bold and knowing pronouncement:

I hereby dub this effort as under the umbrella of:

"The Beren Campaign to Reduce Violence & Crime"

Specifically, as: "The Beren Effort for Safe Gun Ownership"

contrasted with:

How would we go about this? Would you support the campaign by personally visiting and calling your represenatives to lobby for legislation directing the ATF to create such an FFL class?

nearly blew my tickle circuit completely out.

It's sorta like the Sophomore chanting:

"This is terrible! We need to do something! I'll be your leader!"

followed by the same fellow asking:

"What should we do, and how should we do it?"

 

[Beren]

A true leader knows to solicit input from those around him. That way, he has someone to fire if it doesn't work.

 

[Pendragon]

One the practical side, I think it is a good idea - it is preposterous that people who already own several guns are subjected to what was initially called a "cooling off" period.

A couple of problems:

1. Many of the most repressive laws are state laws - even if this came to be, it would really not help people in CA. While the free part of the US does still have some level of hassle, it is nothing compared to PRK, PRNJ, IL, MD, MA, NY

2. The idea embraces the idea that some infringement is ok. From a philosophical stand point, I do not like to idea of getting a right back as a privlidge. (Observe my perfect waffle on this when I get a CCW permit someday).

I think the best idea would be to try and gut the GCA 1968.

One way we might do this is by "updating" the GCA - get a law going that repeals the GCA 1968 and has rules to "replace it" with something less restrictive.

After all, the antis complain that they 2nd A is "archaic" - certainly the GCA 1986 and 1934 are getting "archaic" and need to be re-written (read: gutted) to reflect modern times.

The problem is - many of the hard core pro gun people oppose an incremental retaking of our rights because to get a few things back, we may have to leave a few things alone for a while and that is equated with cowardice or giving in or having relations with Sarah Brady or something