General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIf gun ownership is a "right", then why aren't guns made available to everyone for free?
Voting is a right...and nobody can force you to pay any sort of fee in order to vote.
You can exercise your right of free speech/press/religion without having to pay any fee.
You have a right to a legal defense - if you cannot afford a lawyer, the state must appoint you one free of charge.
So if gun ownership is truly a "right", then why shouldn't guns be made available to people at no cost? At the very least, those who can't afford to purchase a gun should be able to obtain a gun at the state's expense, eh?
turtlerescue1
(1,013 posts)Tejas
(4,759 posts)William769
(55,147 posts)Where do I go to get my free land?
petronius
(26,602 posts)to build you a church or whatever.
I imagine, though, that the state could run into Constitutional problems at some point if licensing fees (say for CCW) or registration fees rose to a point that became financial barriers to exercising the right. I've wondered if that isn't happening already in some places, and even any fees like that should pass muster...
TheKentuckian
(25,026 posts)Uncle Sam buys all the ink and pays reporters.
It doesn't mean that Uncle Sam has to give you a ride to church.
It doesn't mean you get a free printing press.
Other than the lawyer there is absolutely no one to pay other than the state in some poll tax type scenario, in this instance it would more mean the state cannot levy a fee for exercising the right.
pipoman
(16,038 posts)what with some of the ideas and statements made regarding the US Constitution and Bill of Rights...
cthulu2016
(10,960 posts)Publishing the New York Times is a right secured by the 1st Amendment... but that doesn't mean the government has to buy the NYT and give it to me.
Llewlladdwr
(2,165 posts)veganlush
(2,049 posts)sendero
(28,552 posts)... in a sea of silly your point stands out as the silliest.
You have "right" to start a business but the government has no obligation to supply you with one. One of literally hundreds of examples, including health care.
WOW what a poorly thought out question...
quaker bill
(8,224 posts)A post 9/11 law called "real ID" has vastly increased the number of original documents needed to obtain an official DL or state ID. When someone has been without ID for sometime, assembling the needed documentation can run as much as $50 to $100. One of the services we attempt to provide the homeless is getting them a valid ID or license. In many places this is necessary to get any sort of stable employment (something beyond day labor). You can use jail ID to get a certified copy of the BC (depending on the state total costs $40 to $50 for both documents), then you need a replacement SSID card ($).... With women, where applicable, a copy of the marriage license (to show name change)..($)
So yes, in places where voter ID has passed, a person might be looking at a hefty fee to vote.
ileus
(15,396 posts)Ganja Ninja
(15,953 posts)All you have to do to get one is join the army.
safeinOhio
(32,690 posts)the best post reply of the day.
Remmah2
(3,291 posts)If you lose it or abuse it, you pay for your gear.
Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)slackmaster
(60,567 posts)This ain't Cuba.
4th law of robotics
(6,801 posts)You can exercise your 2nd amendment rights for free too: make your own gun from scratch.
Remmah2
(3,291 posts)nt