TTAG reader NW was looking forward to doing a gun transfer via a Falls Church, Virginia FLL called “The Gun Dude.” “It’s a local shop with a great atmosphere and some of the friendliest salespeople around,” he writes. And then NW happened upon a blog post on the store’s website called Guns Don’t Kill People; People Who Shouldn’t Own Guns Kill People. Written by an Army vet, lawyer and self-professed “proud American” named Matt Randle. Mr. Randle’s rant goes a little something like this . . .
While I was in the Army I had weeks of training, physical and mental health screening and background checks before I ever was allowed to fire my weapon. Then it was under intense safety and supervision and happened semi-annually to ensure I could still safely operate my weapon.
Police officers under go full background checks, mental and physical health evals, and weeks of training before they can fire their weapons. Then it is under intense safety and supervision and they are required to re-qualify at least annually to demonstrate they can still safely operate their weapons.
To adopt a dog from the pound I was required to list 3 references, have the dog licensed, vaccinated, and fixed.
To drive a car I must have insurance, and be licensed.
To obtain a license I was first required to take an eye exam, a written exam on safety and the laws of driving, and a practical driving exam. Subsequently my license is periodically required to be renewed, and, if I demonstrate poor habits my license can be suspended and even permanently revoked.
To fish I must apply for licensure and provide my basic information. Same for hunting.
To practice law I had to go to school for 3 years (to the tune of $200k), take an exam in ethics, complete a background check that was more invasive than the one I needed to acquire a security clearance in the army, take the Bar Exam, the toughest test I’ve ever taken, which lasted two days, and am still required every year to take at least 20+ hours of continuing education.
Yet to buy and own a gun in Arizona from a private party I need not prove a thing.
To buy a gun from a “dealer” I fill out a two page application and am subjected to the lowest level background check possible.
Bottom line: “The 2nd Amendment is not infringed by requiring sensible training, background screening and licensure.” This from a lawyer? What part of “shall not be infringed” doesn’t he understand? By the same token, what gun dealer – in Virginia no less – would risk alienating his clientele by publishing a pro-gun control article?
On the other hand, why not? I’d have published it here, so that TTAG’s Armed Intelligentsia could read Randall the riot act. Come to think of it, that’s pretty much what I’ve just done. As for NW, he’s done with The Dude. Would you buy from this dealer based on his decision to publish this screed?