Thanks, VG. The survey results were personally helpful because on a few survey items I was in a small minority. It got me thinking more about reasons why so many other people thought differently, and if it was worth reconsidering my own position. Admittedly, my starting point was not having given most of these ideas much thought before.
There are 3 primary factors that influence my thinking towards gun regulation.
#1 “Shall not be infringed”. A couple of months ago I read the entire constitution, and this phrase, above any other, stood out like a blazing beacon. “Shall not be infringed” is strong language, but what exactly does it mean? A whole lot of people believe it means unambiguous free reign of transfer and use of weapons. Ten people voting “yes” for Apache helicopters, tactical nukes, etc. is unsurprising to me. IMO many states with restrictive gun laws do not pass the sniff test for our 2nd amendment right. Either the constitution needs to be amended, or many gun laws need to be overturned. Hundreds of judges over the course of decades disagree, and I will follow their decisions and obey the law, even if I believe some of their interpretations of the law are wrong, and violate the 2nd amendment.
#2 I’ll gladly participate in discussions on gun control legislation with ardent gun control advocates when they lay to rest proposals that overwhelming punish law-abiding gun owners and benefit criminals. A lot of this proposed legislation enjoys support among the liberal base, but has little real world value. The south side of Chicago is the best example I can think of. Show me gun legislation that stops black-on-black firearm gang violence in Chicago while increasing gun access to law-abiding Illinoisans, and you’ve got my attention.
#3 Any new gun legislation must first consider the current high # of firearms currently in circulation in America, who has them, and what different types of guns are used for. It does no good to ban suppressors when 99.9% of the suppressor market is law-abiding gun owners. It does no good to restrict long guns when 99.99% of long guns are not used it violent crimes, etc. Why require handgun permits at a fee when 100% of gangbangers already have a handgun and won’t bother to pay a fee for a permit?