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**44 AMP** · June 14, 2009, 01:49 PM

We want making the decision. Their opinions can be of value, but they should NOT have the final say. Remember it was only about 50 years ago that homosexuality was a listed and recognised mental illness!

What it all really boils down to is the concept of prior restraint. You can't have a gun, (or sharp objects, or matches, etc.) because of what you might do.

One either has to accept the risk to society, balanced against the amount of good, or enforce total control, over everyone.

Sure, there are people out there who should not have a gun. No argument. BUT, until or unless they prove that they are unfit/irresponsible, through their actions, they must have the basic rights of every citizen.

Permits, licensing, classes, all these are things the system does to minimize the risk of someone who is unfit having a gun. But, unless they are adjudicated by a court (the legal process of stripping them of their rights, for public safety), they are the same as the rest of us. Equal treatment under the law.

June 14, 2009, 01:49 PM	#10
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,846	Doctors (especially mental health professionals) are the last ones.. We want making the decision. Their opinions can be of value, but they should NOT have the final say. Remember it was only about 50 years ago that homosexuality was a listed and recognised mental illness! What it all really boils down to is the concept of prior restraint. You can't have a gun, (or sharp objects, or matches, etc.) because of what you might do. One either has to accept the risk to society, balanced against the amount of good, or enforce total control, over everyone. Sure, there are people out there who should not have a gun. No argument. BUT, until or unless they prove that they are unfit/irresponsible, through their actions, they must have the basic rights of every citizen. Permits, licensing, classes, all these are things the system does to minimize the risk of someone who is unfit having a gun. But, unless they are adjudicated by a court (the legal process of stripping them of their rights, for public safety), they are the same as the rest of us. Equal treatment under the law. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.