I’ve gotten a lot of great questions on guns and gun controls, gun licenses and such. This particular individual asked that I keep his identity private but allowed me to answer publicly, so here it is. 

Gun Licensing & Free Market Solutions

Licenses, Training, Cool-Off Periods, Etc.

I think it’s important to state, before we go any further, that federal gun laws are not constitutional in my opinion and that only states can regulate their gun industries. But banning of guns, even at a state level, is unconstitutional.

I actually believe in certain levels of gun “control” or gun “regulation”, but I think that the Free Market can provide that without government interference (or incompetence).

Why do I believe in gun “control”, such as background checks and cool-off periods? It’s simple, I own guns for protection. Protection from a lot of things, including other gun owners. Usually the threat is from illegal arms but we also have to be suspicious of legal owners at times (as the statistics show). I’d like to know that an industry I support doesn’t also support the exact type of evil which caused me to arm up in the first place. I think that any sane gun owner is okay with this because it also protects them, as gun owners. I know a lot of people fight back on this issue, some because they fear that it’s only the start of regulations and that they will evolve into more restrictions. I think that’s foolish. Only the idiots at the NRA think like this (FYI, I hate the NRA). Think of this as no different than wanting to know other drivers are capable of driving or that your doctor is capable of operating on you. 

I think everyone should take gun safety classes and get certified. I think cool-off periods are logical. I think background checks are logical. I think that periodic tests are logical. No different than owning a car. This is an tool for capable, skilled persons and I expect only capable, trained and skilled persons to own and operate them. If you’ve ever been to the gun range and seen “that guy’ that has no idea what he’s doing yet he refuses to learn, you know what I’m talking about. Other gun owners aren’t just weary, they don’t approve of this type of behavior. 

All of this is not just logical, it’s actually good for me and my family’s safety, the very thing I own guns for. 

Free Market Solution

I don’t think this has to be done by force. I think there’s a few free market solutions to achieve this outcome. One idea I’ve been working on is the idea of a gun and ammo store which gives people a discount if they get periodic training and won’t sell you ammo unless you have gotten training. It will attract people with low prices or the idea of a discounted training session with purchase and eventually, other stores would follow suit because not only do people like “deals”, most gun owners actually love gun training and they also love gun safety. 

This is also beneficial to the gun stores since most people who come in for training usually end up spending additional money on ammo, targets, gun rental, accessories and sometimes new guns. Just like the business model of other stores, use cheap ammo as a loss leader to get people in the store, use licenses and training as a form of membership, a price to pay up front for future discounts and you will generate profit. It’s the Costco model. 

Those on the fringe who don’t want gun safety will soon be left to choose between more expensive guns and ammo or training and discounts. Over time, we will breed smarter and better prepped gun owners.

This isn’t the only solution, it’s something that just came to mind. I’m sure some others have their own solutions. This doesn’t fix everything, but it’s a good start.