Issue 376 What guns should be unregulated? July 10, 2014

Well, you’re probably thinking I am nuts for even posing the question.  However, if you think about it, there are numerous firearms that are completely outdated in which they do not even make ammunition or parts for anymore.  This group is called historical firearms and I am going to make my case on why they should be unregulated to you.

Long reload:  Muskets, and classic muzzle loading fire arms from the days of the American Revolution and back need not be regulated when it comes to being bought and sold.  Main reason is that they can fire off 3 rounds max in one minute (and that is if you’re really good at loading them).  There is a group of gun collectors who shoot these firearms and really only need a license to purchase the gun powder (cause it is a possible bomb making material) in order to shoot them.  You probably never heard of this, but there is a segment of the gun culture here in the United States that likes shooting historical firearms like muskets and similar weapons.  Other firearms like the wheel lock and flint lock are also in this category as they require a long and lengthy process to load and then fire.

Out of date:  Another grouping that overlaps slightly with the first is firearms that are considered outmoded and thus their parts and ammunition are no longer made.  Basically, old French 8 mm rifle rounds, and other similar guns need not be regulated as they can only be fired in controlled situations and after a pricey process of making the ammunition.  Even then, if said weapon is in disrepair it will lose value if forced to manufacture newer parts or convert it to modern standards.  Even guns that shoot up to 28 bullets in a single trigger pull (back before the Machine gun was invented they tried numerous ways to barrage the enemy including guns with literally 28 barrels to fire all at once) are in this category and are thus regulated to the historical class of firearm.  So, as long as the gun is not being updated to fire modern ammunition, or the ammunition cannot be easily made, then it makes no sense to regulate said firearms.

Less than lethal: There is one other grouping that (I'm not 100% sure on this specific one) may not need be regulated.  These firearms are guns that shoot small caliber bullets or other types of ammunition that are so small, that they cannot kill anyone save with a lucky hit.  So you may have this tiny palm gun used for a last ditch defense against an attacker, but at most all you will be able to do with it is put a small hole in him and scare them half to death.  So these guns, depending on the lethality of the ammunition need not be regulated (much).

Conclusion:  Some guns just do not need to be regulated due to their being outmoded (depending on the situation).  As such, why waste money regulating these firearms any further when the real killer is the hand gun.  The hand gun is a last ditch personal defense weapon, but also the weapon of assassination and murder.  If anything need be regulated, it is the hand gun, not the historical and now ineffective musket.