Gun Safety Laws vs Incentives

[Ben]

An interesting article:

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/stefanik-introduces-gun-safety-legislation-incentives-counter-mandates

Stefanik is suggesting incentives, like tax deductions for firearms training or buying safes, rather than restrictions. I think it is food for thought.

I don't think anything she suggests would stop something like the two latest shootings, as again, we are dealing with criminals and mentally unstable people.

However, I have always been a big proponent of "Any law abiding citizen should be able to buy a gun like they buy a carton of milk", but also, "I think it's a REALLY good idea for people to voluntarily get basic safety, and even defensive firearms training".

I would be in favor of tax incentives for people to VOLUNTARILY get training, and even to buy storage. That's a carrot. I wonder how many more people would take something like "Defensive Pistol 1" if they could deduct it off their taxes, or even get a tax credit?

It additionally got me thinking of what the private sector could do as PR for the firearms industry. Like what if you went to the gun store to buy a Glock 19, and found you could either buy it for $500, or you could walk in with a certificate from said "Defensive Pistol 1", and buy it for $250 (or a rebate with proof of training)? I wonder how many people would take the latter option and walk away with a great deal on their gun and some good, eye-opening (from personal experience) training that far too many people never bother to get.

It seems to me something like this could be a positive boost for the pro-gun side. And even if it isn't a PR boost, it seems like it would be a good option to incentivize people to get trained.

"Training is the most important"

-Garand Thumb

[HankB]

In Texas, there's a training course to get a concealed handgun license that covered CHL law and conflict management - this being Texas, it was a fairly useful reminder of do's and don'ts when carrying and in each case, the instructors were "gunnies" themselves.

I shudder to think of what state approved (or worse, state mandated) "gun safety" courses would look like in CA, NY, IL, or other Democrat-controlled states.

[Boomhauer]

The whole problem with this is it is 100% voluntary and that is abhorrent to a liberal. Everything a liberal wants and desires must be rammed up the People’s asses forcefully and based 100% on emotion

[Angel Eyes]

The whole problem with this is it is 100% voluntary and that is abhorrent to a liberal. Everything a liberal wants and desires must be rammed up the People’s asses forcefully and based 100% on emotion

"Everything not forbidden is mandatory"

[AZRedhawk44]

It additionally got me thinking of what the private sector could do as PR for the firearms industry. Like what if you went to the gun store to buy a Glock 19, and found you could either buy it for $500, or you could walk in with a certificate from said "Defensive Pistol 1", and buy it for $250 (or a rebate with proof of training)? I wonder how many people would take the latter option and walk away with a great deal on their gun and some good, eye-opening (from personal experience) training that far too many people never bother to get.

Guns are ridiculously overpriced.  A handgun is no more complicated a tool than a cordless drill, rotary hammer, or automotive jack.  Their market value is derived from their mystique/utility rather than their manufacturing and distribution cost.

I seriously doubt you'd get any manufacturer to give a 50% discount for a class; there's also the problem of a noob gun owner being anything near ready for a tier of class like Defensive Pistol; he's going to need Basic Firearms Safety as well as Practical Pistol, before Defensive Pistol.

I have seen some gun stores offer a 10% discount for some types of customers:  if you have taken any firearms course from them in the last year, or are a member of their indoor range club, things like that.

[Hawkmoon]

I shudder to think of what state approved (or worse, state mandated) "gun safety" courses would look like in CA, NY, IL, or other Democrat-controlled states.

We have required -- by either statute or state regulation, don't remember which -- the NRA Basic Pistol class as a prerequisite for a carry permit for decades. With the exception pf one brief interlude a few years back, we have had Democrats as governors for as long as I can remember, and I believe the state legislature has always been controlled by the Ds.

[Ben]

I seriously doubt you'd get any manufacturer to give a 50% discount for a class; there's also the problem of a noob gun owner being anything near ready for a tier of class like Defensive Pistol; he's going to need Basic Firearms Safety as well as Practical Pistol, before Defensive Pistol.

I was actually thinking more outside of manufacturers, who I agree, would not be thrilled with the idea. Plenty of NGOs and other private trusts could offer something though.

I have no "plan" for this. It was just that the linked article got me thinking that it's always about the stick, and not a carrot. Not that the antis would buy into it, but it seems like there are a lot of voluntary carrots that could be offered to get more people trained, from basic, "this end goes "bang" training to "how not to shoot innocent bystanders (or yourself) if you need your gun for defense" training.

[MillCreek]

Guns are ridiculously overpriced.  A handgun is no more complicated a tool than a cordless drill, rotary hammer, or automotive jack.  Their market value is derived from their mystique/utility rather than their manufacturing and distribution cost.

Hear, hear.  I wonder what would be the actual manufacturing cost for a Ruger LCR, for example. Academy is selling a .38 LCR for $ 580, and I wonder what is the cost on the Ruger loading dock for that revolver going out the door.

[Perd Hapley]

Tax deductions? The Left will call it a subsidy, and be ultra-triggered. Let's do it!

[MechAg94]

Hear, hear.  I wonder what would be the actual manufacturing cost for a Ruger LCR, for example. Academy is selling a .38 LCR for $ 580, and I wonder what is the cost on the Ruger loading dock for that revolver going out the door.

I would be curious about that as well as the actual invoice price they charge the distributors.  If nothing else, it would give us an idea of the cost of having to sell through distributors and FFL dealers.

Just remember there is an 11% tax on all guns along with liability issues these days since Congress won't clear up that issue.