Remember, Trace, you asked!

 

Trace Ordiway of North Dallas says we can solve this gun violence thing by making bullets a controlled product.

 

For example, he says that ammo for a Bushmaster should be sold only at target ranges. You take your Bushmaster, buy however many rounds you want to fire, fire them at the range, show proof of how many you fired, and turn back in any leftovers. "Where is the flaw in this logic," he asks.

 

Flaw #1: Suppose I want to shoot my Bushmaster somewhere besides the target range.
Flaw #2: Suppose I shoot 20 rounds at the range, but tell them I shot 30 rounds and pocket the extra 10. Will they have someone counting?
Flaw #3: How many extra employees will the range have to hire to police the shooters and fill out and turn in the government reports on how many bullets they have?

 

But that's not Trace's only example. If you go deer hunting, you show your license at the sporting goods store, and they sell you only the bullets they think you need for the season. "Where is the flaw in this logic," he asks.

 

Flaw #1: What if you're a lousy shot and you use up all your ammo on misses?
Flaw #2: What if you have licenses in multiple states? Does that mean you have to buy your ammo where you hunt?
Flaw #3: What if you want to do some sight-alignment or target practice before you go?
Flaw #4: What if you just get the license, but you don't hunt at all? Is it illegal to save your ammunition?

 

But Trace has another logical example. If you want a pistol for home protection, you show the sporting goods store your license to carry and they sell you the bullets they think you need for a month or a year. "Where is the flaw in this logic," Trace asks.

 

Flaw #1: You don't have to have a carry license to have a gun for home protection. A carry license is just what it says -- a license to carry the gun. So how do people who don't have a carry license get ammunition to protect their families?
Flaw #2: Who's to say how many bullets are enough? Do you think such a policy might be discriminatory? Don't you suppose that people who live in the 'hood need more bullets for home protection than people who live in upscale neighborhoods?

But here's the flaw that makes all the others superfluous: . . . The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. If all you can carry is an unloaded gun, your right to bear arms has been infringed.

 

So, Trace, I have to conclude that you're of the same caliber as that ditzy congresswoman who thinks a magazine and a bullet are synonymous. Neither one of you has the slightest idea what you're talking about.

 

"Bullet regulation." The Dallas Morning News; April 8, 2013; p. 16A.