What can we really do about gun control?

[rogerashton]

As Senator Moynihan observed long ago, gun control is difficult when we have more than a century’s supply of guns already in the hands of the public. But control of ammunition might be more plausible. Here are some hasty thoughts on that theme.

First, require that all firearms be registered. Transfer of possession of an unregistered firearm would be a serious Federal crime: all firearms legally sold or given must be registered at that time. A database of registered weapons and their owners would be maintained. Possession of an unregistered firearm would be a minor federal crime, at least in a case of first offense and without intent to sell.

To buy ammunition legally, however, would require 1) the registration number of the gun for which the ammunition is procured, 2) the seller would have to be licensed and would be required to consult the database and insure that the buyer is the registered owner and that the caliber of ammunition is consistent. Excessive purchases of ammunition would be a prima facie cause to presume an intent to make criminal sales and thus sufficient grounds for search and seizure. (This in itself might have prevented the Santa Barbara shootings.)

Unlicensed sales or sales of ammunition without the consistency check would be a major federal crime, considered racketeering and so permitting the seizure of any and all property involved in the criminal sale.