M14 Shooter
The Light of Truth
I agree - the standards for judging the constitutionality of the limitations on the right to arms should be no different than those for judging limitations on the right to free speech.The purpose of registration is irrelevant. The fact is, you must register houses, cars and guns with the government in some fashion for different reasons. Since they are different objects used for different purposes, it stands to reason the purpose for registration would be different as well.
Who buys a car to drive around ONLY on all their acreage? A tractor maybe or a 4-wheel drive to wrangle cattle or something but regardless of all that, you still have to take a written test and a driving test to obtain a license to operate a vehicle whether you drive on your property or on the roads. And don't tell me that tractor or cattle-wrangling 4-wheel isn't going to drive down a public road at some point.
No comment on alcohol or voting requirements even though they are guaranteed by the Constitution? That's the real argument here.
A liscense is only required for public roads, just like a CCW permit can be required for public use of a firearm.
And I have never heard of "registration" for a house. All you need to do is give the address and your name so the property tax can be paid.
Alcohol is NOT guaranteed by the consitution. It leaves regulation of alchol specifically to the states and localities. Read the amendment. Voting rights are also left to the states, with floor limits set that say you cannot deny voting rights based on race sex, or age after the age of 18.
Arms are left to the PEOPLE.
Sort of.
Because it's a constitutional right, regulating that right is tricky especially when you try to make comparisons to gunlaws in other countries. I don't think any other country guarantees it as a right.
However - no constitutional right is unlimited - not a single one. I don't think firearms should be any different than any other right.