08-28-2012, 12:59 PM
Gutenberg wrote:
And the way we do that, Mac, is to limit possession of firearms to people who are trained and licensed to carry them. We vigorously prosecute those who do not lock up their guns at night. The suspect's father has a criminal record--drug possession, theft, assault, etc. That shotgun should have been seized long ago.
I don't think we disagree on the overall gist of this. However, I do disagree on prosecuting "those who do not lock up their guns at night" - as this suggests government intrusion into our home/personal lives beyond what we endure today and does nothing to eliminate the problem.
If indeed the father is a convicted criminal, in the State of Maryland he is already prohibited by law from possessing or owning firearms. That he possessed a shotgun and your assertion that it should have been seized is a failure of enforcement of our current laws.
Which brings it around to the actual enforcement. Who is doing it? How do we enforce current laws effectively? If we are unable to enforce current law then we're deluding ourselves to believe that additional laws can/will be enforced.
This fifteen year old illustrates that weapons can be procured outside the scope of law. While it shouldn't happen, it does and I don't really know how it is possible to prevent the illegal sourcing of firearms. Reminds me of when I was in high school and I could buy a full-auto Uzi on the streets for $300.