If Gov can make you buy insurance... why not guns?

[Danno 1,228]

Bill would require all S.D. citizens to buy a gun

Five South Dakota lawmakers have introduced legislation that would require any adult 21 or older to buy a firearm “sufficient to provide for their ordinary self-defense.”

The bill, which would take effect Jan. 1, 2012, would give people six months to acquire a firearm after turning 21. The provision does not apply to people who are barred from owning a firearm.

Nor does the measure specify what type of firearm. Instead, residents would pick one “suitable to their temperament, physical capacity, and preference.”

The measure is known as an act “to provide for an individual mandate to adult citizens to provide for the self defense of themselves and others.”

Rep. Hal Wick, R-Sioux Falls, is sponsoring the bill and knows it will be killed. But he said he is introducing it to prove a point that the federal health care reform mandate passed last year is unconstitutional.

“Do I or the other cosponsors believe that the State of South Dakota can require citizens to buy firearms? Of course not. But at the same time, we do not believe the federal government can order every citizen to buy health insurance,” he said.

http://www.argusleader.com/article/20110131/UPDATES/110131031/Bill-would-require-all-S-D-citizens-buy-gun

Edited February 1, 2011 by Danno

[^_^ 5,021]

It's an interesting point. If South Dakota had high rates of violent crime and/or theft, the economic effects of this on insurance rates (property, life and health) are surely not limited to the state of South Dakota. If requiring every eligible citizen to own a firearm resulted in a reduction of crime rates and allowed for partial disbandment of existing police forces (further reducing government expenditures), then why not? Go for it.

[Danno 1,228]

I'm only disappointed that, as of yet.... no provision has been made to *provide*.. guns to those Underprivileged folks who have full cable TV but no gun-money.

[DEDixon 39]

and if the poor, especially those that have grown comfortable living on the assistance gov't offers, if they can't afford a gun the gov't will and should buy one for them! they should not go without the protection that hard work folks have after buying their gun!

[slim 1,530]

I'm only disappointed that, as of yet.... no provision has been made to *provide*.. guns to those Underprivileged folks who have full cable TV but no gun-money.

All of these so-called "welfare" bills are in place to help the poor. I agree, they should have access to arms as well. (Check my sig line.)

and if the poor, especially those that have grown comfortable living on the assistance gov't offers, if they can't afford a gun the gov't will and should buy one for them! they should not go without the protection that hard work folks have after buying their gun!

Exactly!

[^_^ 5,021]

Just what the projects need...more firepower

[Dakine10 5,452]

South Dakota also has a law that anyone named Tom must leave the state on July 13th. They can return on the 14th.

What they really need to consider passing is a law requiring mandatory IQ testing for their politicians.

[Ban Hammer 13,408]

Just what the projects need...more firepower

sounds like they believe in the 2nd amendment more than those in their cozy upscale homes.

[Danno 1,228]

sounds like they believe in the 2nd amendment more than those in their cozy upscale homes.

In the same way as the Poor.... value the right to a public defender much more than do the wealthy.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I am pro-choice. This means I do not believe the government should require you to own a gun. I think you unquestionably have a right to do so and I would support a program to provide guns to people that cannot afford them, but not requiring them by law.

It isn't necessary anyway.

SD should allow anyone to carry a concealed weapon without a license, like Vermont does. The fact that all people in Vermont, even visitors, CAN carry concealed handguns makes our state the safest in the nation. The fact everyone CAN is enough, it is not necessary that everyone DOES.

A few years ago there was a problem with a serial rapist in Gainesville, Florida peying on co-eds at the University of Florida. The university announced they we going to provide caoncealed carry license classes for students so that they COULD get a CC lisence. The rapes stopped. Dead. Cold turkey. Just the statement that they would make it possible for the co-eds to be armed ended the crime spree.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

The difference between firearms and healthcare is that with a firearm you can't later avail yourself of its use in an emergency and then never pay. I suppose the mandate could have been applied in another way. IE requiring proof of insurance or some sort neutral account before entering a medical facility. After all you have a choice to enter a hospital if your bleeding to death right?

[slim 1,530]

What they really need to consider passing is a law requiring mandatory IQ testing for their politicians.

The people elected them, right?

In the same way as the Poor.... value the right to a public defender much more than do the wealthy.

A public defender is appointed only after someone is accused. Folks aren't required to keep an attorney on retainer "just in case." Plus, folks don't have to contract with a private agency to get a public defender. With this healthcare thing, we'd be required to purchase something from a private company due to the requirement of the government. What other right mandates we purchase things from a private corporation?

The difference between firearms and healthcare is

...one is a constitutional right and one is not.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

...one is a constitutional right and one is not.

completely unrelated to my comment.

[Danno 1,228]

The difference between firearms and healthcare is that with a firearm you can't later avail yourself of its use in an emergency and then never pay. I suppose the mandate could have been applied in another way. IE requiring proof of insurance or some sort neutral account before entering a medical facility. After all you have a choice to enter a hospital if your bleeding to death right?

The reason people are not running up unpaid tabs for firearms is because the Gov't has not yet set up a practice where people can take goods or services from Gun stores without paying.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

The reason people are not running up unpaid tabs for firearms is because the Gov't has not yet set up a practice where people can take goods or services from Gun stores without paying.

Then you must be for the full repeal of EMTALA within COBRA. Its either we go all the way with these laws or we let people die at the steps of the hospitals.