To operate an automobile, I have to register the vehicle with the state government. I also have to register myself, demonstrate that I have been trained in the safe operation of the vehicle, and maintain a government issued license for vehicle operations.
I am limited in the types of vehicles that I may own and operate. I can own and operate a wide variety of vehicles but I cannot, for instance, own and operate an F-16 fighter jet, even if I can scrounge up the parts necessary to assemble one.
I can own real estate and, again, I am required to register my ownership with the government.
I can own an airplane and, yet again, I am required to register it with the government. Furthermore, I am required to notify the federal government within 30 days of buying the plane.
I can own a business and, yet again, I am required to register it with the government. Even if I just want a DBA (doing business as), I have to register the fictitious name with the government.
In none of these instances does anyone even consider that the requirement to register with the government could someday lead to having the right to own a vehicle/real-estate/airplane/business taken away.
So what’s the big deal with a national gun registry? Requiring gun owners to register their guns is no worse than requiring real estate owners to register their deeds with the government. It is no worse than requiring automobile owners to pay for a vehicle registration. Registration is not the first step on a slippery slope. It is just registration.
