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Hugabear

(10,340 posts)
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 01:35 AM Jul 2012

If 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?

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If gun ownership is a "right", then why aren't guns made available to everyone for free? (Original Post) Hugabear Jul 2012 OP
Good one! turtlerescue1 Jul 2012 #1
I'm good with free, 38spl please! Tejas Jul 2012 #2
I have a right to own property. William769 Jul 2012 #3
The state can't charge you a fee to worship, but it isn't obligated petronius Jul 2012 #4
Freedom of the Press does not mean free newspapers and CNN nor does it mean TheKentuckian Jul 2012 #5
Sometimes I wonder what schools are teaching.. pipoman Jul 2012 #6
Wha? cthulu2016 Jul 2012 #7
I would support a program such as this. nt Llewlladdwr Jul 2012 #8
good point. veganlush Jul 2012 #9
Congratulations.. sendero Jul 2012 #10
lol MrDiaz Jul 2012 #11
Actually, voter ID laws are very much like a poll tax quaker bill Jul 2012 #12
If healthcare is a right why isn't it provided for free? ileus Jul 2012 #13
They are. Ganja Ninja Jul 2012 #14
+1 and almost safeinOhio Jul 2012 #15
Technically they're not. Remmah2 Jul 2012 #17
"Constitutional right" != "free stuff" (nt) Nye Bevan Jul 2012 #16
That would be an "entitlement," Comrade slackmaster Jul 2012 #18
If free speech is a right why aren't I entitled to a printing press? 4th law of robotics Jul 2012 #19
The ATF already has that market cornered.nt Remmah2 Jul 2012 #20

petronius

(26,602 posts)
4. The state can't charge you a fee to worship, but it isn't obligated
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 01:51 AM
Jul 2012

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)
5. Freedom of the Press does not mean free newspapers and CNN nor does it mean
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 01:55 AM
Jul 2012

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)
6. Sometimes I wonder what schools are teaching..
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 02:12 AM
Jul 2012

what with some of the ideas and statements made regarding the US Constitution and Bill of Rights...

cthulu2016

(10,960 posts)
7. Wha?
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 02:50 AM
Jul 2012

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.

sendero

(28,552 posts)
10. Congratulations..
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 06:23 AM
Jul 2012

... 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.

quaker bill

(8,224 posts)
12. Actually, voter ID laws are very much like a poll tax
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 06:54 AM
Jul 2012

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.

 

4th law of robotics

(6,801 posts)
19. If free speech is a right why aren't I entitled to a printing press?
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 09:34 AM
Jul 2012

You can exercise your 2nd amendment rights for free too: make your own gun from scratch.

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