So Glenn Reynold's says this. Andrew Sullivan replies with this. And Glenn responds.
And I have opinions.
First, it's simply privacy. Someone doesn't have to be "in the closet" about something to not want it listed in the newspaper. If nothing else, people want to be in control of their lives and left alone.
Then there's motivation. Why is a concealed carry permit list *interesting*? Why does it rate a published list? Going with the "closet" metaphor, suppose the newspaper published a list of "out" gays? To whom would such a list be interesting?
Then there's the criminal element. Suppose someone published a list of women who kept expensive jewelry in their home. Lots of people do, lots of people don't. Some people routinely carry a wad of cash. Why publish a list of those who do?
Now I suppose I could put a "neighborhood watch" type sticker in my window that said, "This household is armed. The children know how to shoot to your center of mass." and it might well work to warn off criminals. But better for community safety if the bad guys don't know who has guns and who doesn't.
And specifically concealed carry... the point is that it's concealed. I suppose it would be fine with me if people carried openly, a visible holster on their hip, but there are reasons not to do that.
Lastly and most importantly... lists of gun owners shouldn't be kept to begin with. I know why they are. In some respects I don't even mind registration and classes and licensing. It does valuable things to ensure law abiding people know how to handle weapons safely. But it comes with a price, a negative trade-off. A list is a handy way of disarming the population... but only the law abiding ones who own and carry legally, of course.
And I have opinions.
First, it's simply privacy. Someone doesn't have to be "in the closet" about something to not want it listed in the newspaper. If nothing else, people want to be in control of their lives and left alone.
Then there's motivation. Why is a concealed carry permit list *interesting*? Why does it rate a published list? Going with the "closet" metaphor, suppose the newspaper published a list of "out" gays? To whom would such a list be interesting?
Then there's the criminal element. Suppose someone published a list of women who kept expensive jewelry in their home. Lots of people do, lots of people don't. Some people routinely carry a wad of cash. Why publish a list of those who do?
Now I suppose I could put a "neighborhood watch" type sticker in my window that said, "This household is armed. The children know how to shoot to your center of mass." and it might well work to warn off criminals. But better for community safety if the bad guys don't know who has guns and who doesn't.
And specifically concealed carry... the point is that it's concealed. I suppose it would be fine with me if people carried openly, a visible holster on their hip, but there are reasons not to do that.
Lastly and most importantly... lists of gun owners shouldn't be kept to begin with. I know why they are. In some respects I don't even mind registration and classes and licensing. It does valuable things to ensure law abiding people know how to handle weapons safely. But it comes with a price, a negative trade-off. A list is a handy way of disarming the population... but only the law abiding ones who own and carry legally, of course.
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Oh wait, that actually... well nevermind.