(Reconsiders deleting and jumps into the fray*

[soapbox]I believe handguns are banned in the UK. In terms of the US, I think we should maybe try to better enforce the laws that are actually on the books. People who drink and drive (trust me, this is going somewhere!) often face stiff penalties, jail time, and license suspension or even revocation. Yet, how many times do you hear of someone "with a suspended license" in a hit and run who kills someone? Is the answer to ban all cars?

People who misuse firearms face jail time and possibly even the death penalty. People also use firearms for legitimate purposes (putting food on the table, for sport, etc.) But, as Ron White so succinctly puts it, "You can't fix stupid." My correlary: "You can't legislate out stupidity." Or hate, or other dirtbaggish human behavior. Our law enforcement system is imperfect at best, so the laws on the books, whether for revoking driving privileges ore shooting privileges, if not enforced, often aren't worth the paper they're printed on.

In a long-winded way I guess I stand on the side of NOT universally banning firearms. My personal preference would be that anyone who wishes to own one would have to be licensed much as one is licensed to drive a car, and this includes passing both a written test and a practical test.[/soapbox]