Dave wrote:

As a matter of policy (a very different thing from Constitutional dictates),
while I'm persuaded that private citizens should not be permitted to own
atomic bombs or Howitzers, I think a good case can be made that private and
relatively unrestricted ownership rifles, shotguns and probably at least
some types of hand guns, should be permissible.

But of course this is coming from a city guy who grew up in a rural area and
owned his first gun at age 11.

I think that's a perfectly sensible attitude. Now if we could somehow
persuade the folks that think nothing less than and outright ban will
do, and on the other hand convince the Wyatt Earp wanna bees that for
the safety of themselves and society there really ought to be some
restrictions.

If you want to see how not to do it, just have look at the monumental
waste created by our (Canadian that is) Governments gun registry.

Cheers
Marty