cars and guns can both kill people... so why are classes and permits unreasonable for the latter?

Toodeemo

Simple answer is the former is a privilege. The latter is a Constitutional right.

HOWEVER, any right guaranteed by the Constitution may be restricted if there is a legitimate State or Federal interest. For instance, you have the right to free speech. But the time and place of some speech, like protest rallies, may be subject to government restrictions. That's why they can tell you not to protest near a school, or election polling place, or near a church, or at a certain time of day. Even some kinds of speech are prohitibited. Inciting to riot, inciting violence, advocating overthrow of the US government...this kind of speech is not protected even though a very strict reading of the First Amendent COULD be interpreted to mean that no speech of any kind can be prohibited. But I digress.

Gun rights advocates seem to think that their right to own guns can never come under government scrutiny or restriction. They are wrong. Permits, registration, use of guns within city limits, carrying concealed weapons etc are properly controlled by the government. This is NOT taking the guns away. There are public safety issues that are more important than someone having unbridled right to own a gun. Most people who want to have a gun can get one. Legally or not. But if someone thinks they need a gun TODAY as opposed to the few days it takes to do a background check, there is a good chance they might do something with that gun they shouldn't do. That kind of "inconvenience" has probably saved countless lives. Similarly, if someone thinks it's OK to do target practice outside in city limits near a school parking lot probably shouldnt have a gun in the first place.

Gun restrictions are needed for many reasons in spite of what NRA members might say. And nobody with any understanding of the US Constitution thinks there is any way guns can be outlawed. Sometimes, you just have to use some common sense in this world.

Possum

You don't need to have a class or permit for the former. You only need classes and permits if you plan to operate them off of your property. If you are on your own private property you don't need a license or permit to operate a vehicle.

The same goes for guns. You can keep a gun on your property without a license or class but if you plan to carry the gun with you things change. You need to take a hunters education course to get a hunting license and you need to attend a course to get a concealed carry permit if you want to carry a handgun concealed.

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