What If We Treated Cars just Like Guns?

The Libertarian Enterprise | 5-18-2002 | John Taylor

[Atlas Sneezed]

You've all heard the canard from the EGGs (Elitist Gun Grabbers, that is) about how "any reasonable person" would support this or that gun prohibition measure because "it should be at least as difficult to get a gun as it is to drive a car in this country"? Well, I've had enough. I've snapped -- gone postal, as it were -- and now, I've come to agree. I think we should institute ten rules for car ownership, modeled after those rules we find desirable for gun ownership. Now let's see -- where to begin.

Rule 1. Automatic transmissions should be taxed and regulated prohibitively and the import of vehicles with automatic transmissions manufactured since 1986 should be banned (we'll call it the National Flivver Act (NFA) and amend it with the Flivver Owners' Protection Act (FOPA).)

Rule 2. All automobile dealers must be federally licensed and subject to periodic, unannounced inspections by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Flivvers (BATF).

Rule 3. All vehicle purchases from licensed dealers (by anyone other than a licensed dealer) must occur in person in the buyer's state of residence. No out-of-state purchases of automobiles from dealers, or purchase of automobiles from a dealer through the mail on consignment.

Rule 4. No one under 18 years of age may purchase an automobile, and no one under 21 years of age may purchase a motorcycle.

Rule 5. There shall be a five-day waiting period for the purchase of any vehicle, during which time the seller shall submit a federal form to local law enforcement whose responsibility it is to run a complete background check on the would-be purchaser to determine if he or she is legally eligible to buy a vehicle. Prior vehicular and/or parking offenses may be construed as grounds to deny the purchase.

Rule 6. Certain selected automobiles and motorcycles are prohibited from sale on the basis of their appearance characteristics.

Rule 7. Gas tanks with greater than ten gallons capacity will be prohibited from sale.

Rule 8. To prevent their unauthorized use by children, all vehicles should be stored with empty gas tanks. Gasoline and vehicles should be stored separately and both should be secured with tamper-proof locks.

Rule 9. The use of compact autos and motorcycles should be restricted to those who have demonstrated a proven need to operate these concealable vehicles. (Police, federal agents, and politicians' bodyguards will be exempted.)

Rule 10. The government should consider banning tinted windows, fiberglass bodies, assault vehicles (sports cars, whose only purpose is to exceed the speed limit and mow down innocent children), and certain accessories that serve no sporting purpose.

I fully realize these ten rules are no more than a good first step. But if they save just one life on our killing streets and highways, then they're worth it. They're a good first step.

We're doing it for the children.

There are more car dealerships in America than there are doughnut shops.

After all, no one really needs more than ten gallons of gas.

Or a 1.4 liter engine.

There really ought to be a law.

John Taylor is Maryland Coordinator of the Libertarian Second Amendment Caucus, and an excellent driver. Excellent.

[aimhigh]

23. Misuse of, or failure to insure the the vehicle will result in confiscation.

[Atlas Sneezed]

24. Doctors will advise parents to get rid of thier cars.

[gitmo]

25. Children will be taught in schools to spy on their parents to see if they have automobiles.

[MosesKnows]

Flivver control violates my individual right to flivver ownership and I for one will not support it. Such infringement on my rights would first require a Constitutional Amendment. Flivvers don't cause traffic, people do. I own a pair of 400 cubic inch flivvers and I know how to use them.

Article II.
A well-regulated Highway, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Flivvers, shall not be infringed.

[MosesKnows]

I had taken this post in a bit lighter vein but I applaud your observation. I have not taken a position yet because I want to give it more thought. However, I feel it is worth spending the time to think about it.

[CHICAGOFARMER]

CARS vs. GUNS

The Liberals are Right.

from Scott Bitterman

Bitterman@highpines.net

http://www.highpines.net/exide99

The latest rhetoric we hear from the anti gun people is we should treat guns like cars. I think its time to seriously look at this idea -- and support it.

The following questions were asked and answered for two groups, CARS and GUNS. Sorry guys and gals I do not know how to do charts in HTML.

Minimum Age to purchase? CARS no GUNS yes

Do you need government permission to purchase one? CARS no GUNS yes

Anyone every been to prison for owning one? CARS no GUNS yes

Is there a waiting period to obtain one? CARS no GUNS varies from state to state

Have many of them been outlawed? CARS no GUNS yes

Do you need insurance to have one? CARS NO GUNS no not yet, but some anti-gun people are pushing it

Do you have to keep them childproofed? CARS no GUNS varies from state to state, but they are pushing national legislation

Have they been confiscated due to bans? CARS no GUNS yes

Are their manufacturers sued for how they are used by end consumers? CARS no GUNS yes

Do you need a license to own one? CARS no GUNS yes

Must you register it? CARS not for private use GUNS varies from state to state, and national legislation is being pushed

Can felon own one? CARS yes GUNS no

Can you take one to school? CARS yes GUNS no

Can you take one into any city within the state you reside? CARS yes GUNS varies from state to state, but in many places, no

Can you take one to any state in which you don't reside? CARS yes GUNS varies from state to state, but in many cases, no

Safe use taught in school? CARS yes GUNS no

Number of accidental deaths (1998, National Safety Council) CARS 41,200 GUNS 900

Protected under the Constitution? CARS yes, 9th amendment GUNS yes, 2nd and 9th amendments

So do the liberals really want to treat guns like cars or not?

I think the call by liberals for treating guns like cars should be heeded -- and I believe they aren't really thinking about what they are saying.

end

[tet68]

I ain't skeered, Ah got a Camero and some SUVs cached under my back yard
and 1000 gallons of AVgas hidden in my waterheater. Damn DMV jack booted thugs!

[waterstraat]

Minors, drug addicts, and ex-felons can buy cars in my state.

[Redleg Duke]

Naw, I'll just stay socialist. Funny, I never realized I was socialist until you pointed it out. All this time I thought I was a conservative who believed in the Representative Republic as defined by the US Constitution. I guess I need to be grateful to you brownies and brigadeers to point out the error of my ways!

After listening to your pompus tirade, I guess I had better register as a Democrat and start multiple votes for Democrats. That is kinda neat! If you are a Republican, you can only vote once and only in the district of residency, but if you are a Democrat, you can vote as often as you like and anywhere you like, particularly if you are a minority or an illegal alien!

Thanks ever so much, tahiti! What a stunning civic service you brownies and brigadeers provide!

[mhking]

26. SUV's UAV's (Urban Assault Vehicles) would be prohibited, because the only reason one would want one is to drive off the paved road and intentionally injure/harm the environment.