Allen Buckley's Bad Idea

Allen Buckley, the Libertarian candidate for the U.S. Senate in Georgia, has joined the Libertarian presidential and vice presidential candidates in endorsing gun control measures (see this Facebook post):

Regarding guns and Orlando . . . My position (from my website) essentially calls for repeal of the Brady bill and amendment of the 2nd amendment to prohibit access to guns to the mentally ill, institutionalized persons, illegal immigrants, people under investigation for terrorism and persons convicted of a felony involving deadly force. Temporary restrictions could be placed by courts in potential domestic violence situations. States could specify where guns are prohibited, and property owners would be able to specify if guns can be brought on their property. States could require owners of businesses to post notice regarding their positions. Under this approach, the Orlando club could have permitted all or a subset of persons (e.g., only employees) to carry guns. While not a perfect solution, like many areas of life, I don't think there is a perfect solution to these matters. I believe my approach is better than what we are now doing.

(Disclaimer: I own no guns at this time, nor do I have any plans to own a gun. I wouldn't mind it, but I have other financial requirements which come before gun ownership.)

Let's review this piece by piece:

1. "repeal of the Brady bill": So far, so good. Personally, I am against any gun ownership restrictions other than potential gun training. I believe gun owners should be required to pass at least one gun usage course, which should include a reasonable requirement to be able to hit a target. But I digress...

2. "amendment of the 2nd amendment to prohibit access to guns to the mentally ill, institutionalized persons, illegal immigrants, people under investigation for terrorism and persons convicted of a felony involving deadly force": No, no, no, no, and no. The 2nd Amendment is fine as is. You just lost my vote Mr. Buckley.

The problem with your definitions here is, who defines these things? For example, who is a "mentally ill" person? Ask the Global Warming nuts, and they would happily define any person who denies man-made climate change as a "mentally ill" person.  

Here is what Buckley's Republican opponent Johnny Isakson's website says:

I strongly support the Second Amendment and believe that it must be preserved and defended. That is why I have and will continue to oppose any efforts that undermine your right to keep and bear arms. 

We do not need more gun control in America; rather we need more criminal control. I support commonsense solutions that focus on enforcing existing laws and strengthening mental health care, rather than creating new restrictions on our Second Amendment right to bear arms.

Here is what Buckley's Democratic opponent Jim Barksdale's website says:

Citizens who follow the law should be able to exercise their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. Jim believes those people should also pass a background check and the “gun-show loophole” should be closed. Individuals who commit felonies, face domestic charges, or are on the suspected terrorist no-fly list should not be sold firearms until their situations are cleared.

Does that sound familiar Mr. Buckley? That is almost a simplified version of your proposal.

Next election, run as a Democrat, Mr. Buckley. You will fit in perfectly there.