Phil wrote: >> I wonder what public purpose might be cited to justify >> registration and how that purpose might be defended (in >> all of this, I'm hoping that the mere assertion of value >> would not suffice for the Courts -- maybe a naive hope >> these days).
The only remotely viable justification I've heard came from the California DOJ. Two of their members spoke here last year, and I asked them what benefit registration had in California. Their answer was that at the time of criminal conviction, the registration database is checked to see if the newly minted felon had firearms that they were no longer allowed to own. The DOJ spokesperson claimed they used the database in this way around 3,000 times each year. However (and this is the biggie), when pressed for an answer as to how many firearms were recovered under these circumstances, they could not provide even a wild estimate. I suspect those heading off to the slammer find ways of stashing or selling their property (claiming it was "lost" or "stolen") as their trials move forward. If we assume that some fraction of the 3,000 checks finds a firearm or two, then I see a cost/benefit ratio that is tragically out of balance. -------------------- Guy Smith Silicon Strategies Marketing 630 Taylor Avenue Alameda, CA 94501 510-521-4477 (T) 510-217-9693 (F) [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.SiliconStrat.com
