""In my state, all handguns are registered. You cannot own a handgun of any type unless you have a permit and it is not easy to get and is expensive.""

With respect Dan, shouldn't that read "In my state, all handguns are registered. You cannot own a handgun of any type unless you have a permit and it is not easy to get and is expensive, or unless you are a drug dealer, bank robber, or serial killer"?

There are two separate matters here, surely.

1. Outlaw guns and only outlaws will have guns.

2. Banning all handguns which confer more firepower than would ever be needed to send a burglar running for the hills would seem to be a better idea than any total ban.

I live in the UK where, thank God, handguns are neither allowed, nor needed, in private possession. The situation in the States is different, and I wouldn't presume to judge it on the basis of UK experience.

I have an absolute loathing of any device designed specifically for killing human beings, but circumstances alter cases, and unless the criminals' guns can be taken away first, a total ban would IMHO play right into their hands.

Don T.