Since we had a spirited discussion about Americans and guns, I thought I would throw out a proposal for your consideration.  This proposal will mollify some of our gun apprehension, while retaining Americans’ right to bear arms.  I will not use any data to back up my proposal, since well, it’s just a proposal.  The proposal involves two things: restrictions and liability.  The basis of the restrictions is derived from the fact that the right to bear arms is encumbered.  There seems to be a consensus among the framers as well as among contemporary Americans that there should be restrictions on the right to bear arms.  There is not a consensus on the limit or form that these restrictions should take.  The liability of gun manufacturing, gun distributing, gun selling and gun owning is not often discussed, but my proposal includes their consideration, since they present us with an instrument which helps to align the incentives of these actors with those of society.  The granting of rights and restriction of rights must achieve a balance which is amenable to society as a whole.  This proposal attempts to achieve a concerned balance. [Read more →]